Flooring firm fined after accident at work

20/01/2012

A hardwood floor company has been fined GBP 6,000 and ordered to pay GBP 4,773 in costs after a worker's arm was punctured by a large piece of wood.

Paul Murdoch was cutting walnut boards on a circular ripsaw at Weldon Contracts Ltd's workshop, Norwell, when a 90 centimetre section broke off and punctured his arm.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the machine had no guards at the time of the incident or a safety device at the back of the saw which pushes the two pieces of wood apart and prevents such incidents.

Magistrates in Nottingham were told that the machine had been used a day before the incident for a different process known as deep cutting which had seen the guard and safety measure removed.

Following the hearing, inspector Lorna Sherlock said: "Not only did the company fail in its duty to only use the machine for its intended purpose, it also failed in its duty to make sure it was fit for its correct purpose by re-attaching the guard and riving knife."

Posted by Wayne Weir

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