FEATURE NEWS


MAN'S FINGERS AMPUTATED AFTER HANDS CRUSHED IN MACHINE


A dad from Devon was left with horrific injuries to his hands after an incident at his work.


Dean Delahaye, from Barnstaple, had to have all eight fingers amputated after his hands were crushed by a metal rolling machine.


The 35-year-old worked for flue and chimney manufacturer SF Limited. He was feeding flat metal sheeting into the machine when the incident took place on 5 September 2019. He spent 54 days in hospital and had numerous operations. More than three years on, he is still waiting for prosthetics to be fitted.


Yeovil Magistrates Court heard that an investigation by the HSE found the company had failed to adequately


TEENAGER FELL MORE THAN 20 FEET THROUGH ROOF OF BODMIN DAIRY FARM


A Bodmin dairy farm has been fined more than £60,000 after one of its workers sustained multiple injuries when he fell more than 20 feet through a roof on to a concrete floor.


Mike Rossiter, was just 18 when he was airlifted to Derriford hospital in Plymouth after the shed roof he was clearing gutters from gave way. As well as rupturing his spleen and liver, the farm worker also fractured several vertebrae. An additional fracture to his left elbow required surgery and a permanent plate in his arm.


“I was in hospital for two and a half weeks,” he explained.


“I have been left with permanent damage in my arm and no longer have full movement and I’m unable to lift and carry heavy things. I recently found the cold weather is making it worse, so I now have to take the weather into account when I am working outside.”


A keen rugby player before the incident, 20-year-old Mr Rossiter, went on to say that despite being back in work and fully-supported by his employer, he still fears for his long-term future in the industry.


Plymouth Magistrates Court heard that employees of C.P. Button Limited were clearing the gutters on the grain and silage pit shed roofs on 13 July 2021. Although


assess the risks and implement the necessary controls when the roller equipment was installed. They subsequently missed a further opportunity to reassess the risks following a significant change in the way in which the machine was operated.


S F Limited which trades as SFL Flue and Chimney of Pottington Business Park, Barnstaple, Devon, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They were fined £26,000 and ordered to pay costs of £12,000.


After the hearing HSE inspector Paul Mannell said: “Dean’s injuries were easily preventable.


“Employers must identify the risks posed by dangerous parts of machinery and ensure that relevant controls are implemented to minimise the potential for harm.


“Where the way in which machinery is used changes, the assessment and controls should be updated to ensure employees can work safely and without risk of injury.”


they were using crawling boards, Mr Rossiter had stood on a fragile rooflight, which failed under his weight causing him to fall.


An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company failed to control the risk of falls. They failed to adequately assess the risks and did not have a safe system of work. Wider failings were identified in respect of the information, instruction, training, and supervision provided for the employees involved. HSE guidance can be found at: Agriculture: Preventing falls (hse.gov.uk)


https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/topics/falls.htm


C.P. Button Limited, of St Tudy, Bodmin, Cornwall, pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 after failing to ensure so far as reasonably practicable the health and safety and welfare at work of all its employees against the risk of falling when carrying out the planned maintenance task of clearing gutters. The company was fined £63,466 and ordered to pay £4,223.50 in costs at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on 20 April 2023.


HM Inspector of Health and Safety James Hole said: “This was a wholly avoidable incident which resulted in life changing injuries. Roughly half the deaths and serious injuries caused by falls in agriculture involve work on fragile roofs. Any work on roofs should be adequately planned and suitable protection should be provided which will normally include a combination of coverings, guard rails, safety nets and safety harnesses.”


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