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Accident highlights need to be careful around machinery

A workplace accident which saw a man have his finger severed by a bubble wrapping machine has highlighted the need for adequate health and safety policies regarding the use of machines.

Sansetsu was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after employee Daniel Winters, 29, from Leighton Buzzard, found his right hand trapped while cleaning debris from a machine at it Milton Keynes factory.

The machine was running at the time and Mr Winters' hand suffered severe injuries, leading to three of his fingers being lost.

The HSE found that there was no guarding in place on the machine.

Inspector Karl Howes said: "Running nips are a common hazard in many industries and all machines should be guarded to prevent human contact with the dangerous parts. When machines are used with very hot plastics, these can be very dangerous.

"Employers using this sort of equipment need to make sure there is adequate guarding."

Last week it was reported that DuBois Ltd was prosecuted after a workers suffered a serious injury at its Corby factory when his finger got trapped in a machine.

Quantum Risk Management are leading Health and Safety Consultants
 

Posted on 23/01/2012

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