Auto firm fined after worker loses part of finger

A WARWICKSHIRE automotive components firm has been fined after a worker lost part of a finger while using an unguarded machine at its factory.
 
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Grupo Antolin Leamington Ltd, which makes components for vehicle interiors, following the incident at the company’s Welton Road premises in December 2009.

Ajit Kandola, 37, of Leamington Spa, was cleaning debris from the rotating drive wheel of a foam-slicing machine when the moving blade severed half the index finger of his right hand.

Leamington Spa Magistrates’ Court heard Mr Kandola, who is right-handed, now has difficulty carrying out a number of everyday tasks and finds writing awkward and painful. He was off work for five months and though he eventually returned to the company, now has a different job.

HSE’s investigation found Grupo Antolin Leamington should have taken measures to ensure workers could not touch the blade while it was rotating. An interlocking guard to stop power to the blade as soon as the machine door was opened should have been fitted.

The court also heard the company had failed to give workers proper information or instructions on how to clean the machine safely.

The firm pleaded guilty to breaching the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. It was fined £5,500 and ordered to pay £2,858 costs.

Mark Austin, HSE inspector, said: “This was an entirely preventable incident that would not have happened if Grupo Antolin Leamington had complied with the law. This employee is now left with permanent severe hand injuries.

“The requirement to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery is long-standing, as is the need to ensure that workers have proper instructions and information when operating machinery.

“This type of factory incident remains far too common and employers have no excuse for failing to deal with such obvious risks to health and safety.”