NEWS
PRECISION TOOL MANUFACTURER FINED AFTER WORKER SEVERS FINGER
L.S. Starrett Company Limited, a precision tool manufacturer, has been fined after an employee’s index finger was severed and his thumb deeply lacerated in an incident involving a radial arm drilling machine.
Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard that on 2 October 2018, the hole saw operator was using a radial arm drilling machine when his glove became entangled, resulting in the injuries.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued two improvement notices to the company following
the incident for failing to provide employees with appropriate training on the use of the radial arm drill and failing to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of the drill. This should have included informing employees not to wear gloves when using this type of machinery.
L.S. Starrett Company Limited of Oxnam Road, Jedburgh, Scotland pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £100,000.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Kim Ross commented: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out the correct control measures and safe working practices.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
THEME PARK FINED AFTER CHILD SERIOUSLY INJURED ON A RIDE
Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd has been fined following an incident where a child was thrown from a Twister ride.
York Magistrates’ Court heard that on 30 May 2019, a child was ejected from the Twister ride at Lightwater Valley Theme Park in Ripon, North Yorkshire resulting in serious head injuries.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that although the theme park’s procedures for the Twister ride stated that those between 1.2 metres and 1.5 metres tall must wear seat belts, several children under 1.5 metres in height were not wearing seat belts on this ride. This was seen in CCTV footage over several days and mentioned in statements by members of the public.
On examination of the restraining systems, many belts were not functioning correctly. On several occasions, the final position of the lap bar restraint allowed significant gaps to remain in the containment and did not fully contain smaller passengers.
Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd, registered in Acreman Street, Sherborne, Dorset pleaded guilty of breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £333, 344 and ordered to pay costs of £16,183.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Andrea Jones said: “A child suffered life-changing head injuries at Lightwater Valley theme park.
“Our investigation found that the theme park did not implement suitable operating procedures and monitoring of ride operators in relation to the ride restraints.
“This was an entirely avoidable incident. Several children were put at risk and Lightwater Valley has now been held to account for their failings.”
The child’s mother spoke of how ‘the little boy I took to Lightwater Valley that day is not the same boy that woke up after the surgery. I still grieve for my little boy.’
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