HSE issues warning over dangerous machinery

A Buxton man has been paid £5,000 in compensation for injuries sustained while operating machinery, prompting a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warning.

The employee's suffered "excessive" skin and tissue loss from his index finder, as well as the severing of ligaments and tendons to the index and third fingers in the accident at M P Bio Science's water bottling plant.

Stuart Parry, HSE inspector for Derbyshire, commented: "These debilitating and painful injuries could have been avoided if the company had correctly guarded the machine.

"Companies should ensure that access to dangerous parts of their equipment is prevented through robust and reliable measures, and that their systems of work do not expose their employees to unacceptable levels of risk."

The company pleaded guilty to the charge and was ordered to pay £3,000 costs as well as a £2,000 fine by magistrates.

The HSE recently revealed that industries relating to agriculture are among the most dangerous in the UK, with 39 workers dying as a result of work-related injuries in 2007-08.