A brick manufacturer has been fined £200,000 after a worker was drawn into machinery and had his left arm amputated and was left paralysed from the chest down.
Burnley Magistrates’ Court heard how on 8 July 2017, Eddie Ely, a chargehand with Forterra Building Products, was working with colleagues to remove a blockage on a conveyor when he was drawn into the conveyor system. Guards had been removed from the machine but the power had not been isolated.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Forterra Building Products had failed to properly ensure that machines were always isolated from power before guarding was removed from machinery.
Forterra pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of of £7,529.11.
HSE inspector Steven Boyd said: “This case shows the devastating consequences of coming into contact with dangerous machinery. It is crucial that companies have a clear procedure for isolating machinery and they have appropriate supervision and monitoring to ensure it is adhered to.”
