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£15,000 fine for window company after worker loses thumb and three fingers (10 July 2015)

Date: 10/07/2015
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, £15,000 fine for window company after worker loses thumb and three fingers

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has successfully prosecuted a window installation company, after an employee lost a thumb and three fingers while using a powered saw at the company’s main premises in Walthamstow, east London.

On 11 October, 2013, a 22-year-old worker – who does not wish to be named – was cutting a small piece of uPVC using a powered saw at the premises in Walthamstow.

He disconnected the compressed air supply to the saw so he could move the saw head manually. However, as he pressed down on the saw head, the blade guard rose and trapped his fingers, dragging them into the rotating blades.

His thumb and three fingers on his dominant hand were cut off. Although surgeons were able to reattach his thumb and two fingers, the middle finger was fully amputated.

Nearly 18 months on, he is unable to move his index finger, has little strength in his other fingers and has great difficulty completing daily tasks.

The employee was recently married at the time of the incident and has not been able to return to work. The court heard that he fears for his future employment prospects.

The Health and Safety Executive prosecuted Maple Windows Company Ltd for serious safety breaches, after finding a number of key failures.

The court heard that employees sometimes disconnected the air supply when cutting short pieces of uPVC. However, in doing so they defeated the saw’s safety systems. HSE discovered the company did not detect the unsafe practice on is premises – even though the company knew the dangers of disconnecting the supply and misusing the equipment.

At Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court, Maple Windows Company Ltd – registered at Eastern Avenue, Gants Hill, Ilford in Essex – was fined a total of £15,000, with £913 in costs, after admitting breaches of both the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

The District Judge also ordered the company to pay the injured employee £5,000 in compensation.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Nick Wright said:

“This young worker suffered a serious life-changing injury that has had a very damaging impact on him and his family.

“The accident happened because some workers misused the saw – lacking supervision meant that the company did not detect the unsafe practice.

“After the incident, Maple Windows dealt with both issues to protect their workers.

“All firms must ensure workers understand the risks within their environment and the measures to control them – and equipment should only be used for tasks it is suitable for,” he added.


Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – No win no fee Amputation Claims

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise those who have suffered amputation injuries as a result of another party’s negligence on how to make a no win no fee compensation claim.

Amputation compensation claims usually have to be made within three years of injury occurring – child can make personal injury claims up to the age of 21.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Amputation Claims, call Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

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