Firm fined £120k after woman lost her finger
A MIDLAND firm has been fined £120,000 after a factory worker severed a finger.
Malgorzata Musiol suffered horrific injuries when her gloved hand became entangled in the exposed rotating parts of the stud assembly machine she was operating at CNC Speedwell in Brownhills, near Walsall.
The 23-year-old’s index finger and the tendon along her arm were severely damaged during the incident, which happened on February 20, 2018.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found employees had been using an ‘‘unsafe system of work’’ by placing items by hand very close to exposed rotating parts of the machine whilst wearing gloves.
Dudley Magistates’ Court was told various options were available to prevent this injury had the work been risk assessed, including guarding and twohanded controls.
A safe system of work should have been in place and operators should have received suitable training, the court heard
CNC Speedwell, based in Lichfield Road, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
The company, which supplies machined components, was fined £120,000, ordered to pay costs of £10,909 and a £170 victim surcharge.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Elizabeth Thomas said: “Horrific, life changing injuries sustained in entanglement incidents can be avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”