31st August 2010

Worker loses fingers in between metal rollers

A Tyneside firm has today been fined £8,000 after a worker's hand was badly injured when it was drawn between two rotating metal rollers.

North Tyneside Magistrates' Court heard how Gary Burke, 45, of North Shields, lost his little finger and part of the other fingers on his right hand following the incident at Formica Ltd on Coast Road, North Shields.

On 20 November 2009 Mr Burke was working on a machine which coats paper with resin and then cuts it into lengths to produce the back of a laminated product.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed that there had been consistent production problems with the machine. Mr Burke was using his right hand to check for any resin deposits on the feed belts, when his glove became caught on a belt and his hand was drawn between the two guide rollers.

Despite several operations, doctors were unable to save Mr Burke's little finger though he hopes that they will be able to re-construct two of his fingers to restore some function long term. The incident has had a substantial impact on his life as he does not have full use of his hand. While he has returned to work, he has not been able to do his old job and is now on light duties.

Formica Ltd, of Silver Fox Way, Cobalt Business Park, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. As well as the fine, the company was also ordered to pay £4741.60 in costs.

After the case, HSE Inspector Andrea Robbins, said:

"Production problems such as misalignment of belts and nicks in the paper were a regular problem with this machine and had been occurring for a number of years - yet Formica Ltd had done little about it. It had become custom and practice for workers to try and rectify faults themselves.

The incident could have easily been prevented if the company had implemented safe systems of work for fault finding and ensured that guards were in place to prevent access to dangerous moving parts of the machine."



HSE warns construction firms in Cardiff to adhere to safety standards

Cardiff building and property businesses have been warned about breaking safety laws after unannounced checks revealed concerns about construction and refurbishment work in the city.

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) uncovered poor standards during targeted inspections of small and medium sized domestic property developers.

Conditions at some sites were so bad that immediate enforcement action had to be taken to ensure the health and safety of workers on site.

Liam Osborne, HSE Inspector for Cathays, Roath, Canton and Cardiff city centre, said:

"The construction industry has one of the highest rates of death and major injury and firms must take health and safety seriously - for the sake of both their workers and the public.

"We would much prefer to be offering advice, but when we inspect sites that are clearly dangerous to the workers and members of public we will not hesitate to take enforcement action to protect lives and livelihoods.

"The number of unsafe property refurbishments currently being undertaken in the Cardiff area is of real concern. We had no choice but to take robust enforcement action to ensure that workers on site did not suffer significant injury or worse."

The inspectors discovered basic health and safety failings - such as not using scaffolding to prevent roofers falling from height and, not boarding floor beams so workers cannot fall through.

Inspectors also found that none of the workers at the projects visited were aware of the extent of asbestos in the property before work started. Any business carrying out refurbishment must carry out an asbestos survey before starting work, information is freely available on the HSE Website on asbestos safety.

HSE will continue to inspect refurbishment projects in the city over the coming months


Worker left with long-term injuries after 21-metre fall

Two UK construction companies have today been fined a total of £125,000 after a worker was seriously injured when he fell 21 metres from a hospital building under construction in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Laing O'Rourke Construction Limited and Expanded Structures Limited were prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the incident at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) on 20 October 2006.
The hole Mr McColgan fell through[1]

The hole Mr McColgan fell through

Steven McColgan, 37, from Edinburgh, was working on the construction of the adult block of the RVI at the time. Newcastle Crown Court heard that part of an unsupported working platform broke away when he stood on it, causing him to fall 21 metres to the ground.

Mr McColgan suffered serious multiple injuries to his head and body in the fall and his injuries continue to be life-changing.

The HSE investigation revealed that sections of the falsework, acting as a temporary structure supporting the working platform, were removed before work on the concrete slab was complete.

Both companies, which are based at Bridge Place, Anchor Boulevard, Admiral's Place, Crossways in Kent, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Laing O'Rourke Construction Ltd was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay costs of £13,756 and Expanded Structures Ltd was fined £75,000 and ordered to pay costs of £14,154.

After the case, HSE Inspector Victoria Wise said:

"Laing O'Rourke Construction Ltd and Expanded Structures Ltd failed in their duty of care to Mr McColgan, who was lucky to survive the fall.
The Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) construction site[2]

The Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) construction site

"Falls from height are the single biggest cause of work-related deaths in Great Britain. It is imperative that such a high risk activity is subject to a high degree of overall management and control.

"In the last three years there were 142 work-related fatalities resulting from a fall from height. It is tragic that Mr McColgan's injuries could so easily have been avoided if those in a position of responsibility had effectively discharged their duties".

"Laing O'Rourke Construction Ltd had a duty as principal contractor to ensure that safe systems of work were in place and were being implemented on their site. The company had received previous advice from HSE on this specific matter, at another Newcastle site only two years earlier.

"Specialist contractor Expanded Structures Ltd had a duty to ensure that the risks associated with their work had been adequately assessed and that day to day controls and systems of work were effective".