Legal News

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has successfully prosecuted an engineering firm, after a worker’s arms became entangled in a high-powered lathe, causing serious injuries.

Brendan Hayes, 32, broke bones in his left arm and in both wrists, after they were trapped in a prop shaft he was polishing at Propbrook Engineering Limited.

The incident happened on 14 May 2014 and an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found an interlocked guard on the machine had been defeated, which meant workers carried out tasks in an unsafe manner.

Propbrook’s website advises that the company has “invested significantly in state of the art machinery and equipment” – with three workshops housing large-capacity CNC machines, and a comprehensively-equipped conventional machine/fitting shop, fabrication/welding shop and separate paint spraying facilities.

The company website also says that it offer a “quick turnaround on all work – and a breakdown service on panic jobs.”

On Friday 3 July at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, Propbrook Engineering Limited, of Cato Street, Nechells, pleaded guilty to breaching its duties under Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act requires an employer “to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all its employees”.

Propbrook Engineering Limited was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay full costs amounting to £1,178.

After the hearing, investigating HSE inspector Clive Neil said:

“Mr Hayes was using emery cloth to finish polishing the prop shaft in the computer numerical controlled (CNC) lathe.

“The machine had an interlocked guard which would have prevented him doing this work in the unsafe manner that ultimately caused his serious injuries – but this had been defeated.

“Polishing with emery cloth should never take place on CNC lathes.

“There was a disconnect between the company’s risk assessment and the way tasks were actually carried out on the shop floor.

“This led to unsafe systems of work, which caused a relatively inexperienced employee to suffer serious injuries.

“It is only down to luck that Mr Hayes was not more seriously injured – amputations, even fatalities, have occurred in similar incidents.”

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