Fine for Mahle Engine Systems follows unguarded machine incident 20 February 2013

Mahle Engine Systems UK has been fined £8,000 after an agency worker was injured when his hand became trapped in unguarded machinery.

The man was a trainee operator working on the rolling mills at the Riccarton, Kilmarnock plant, when the incident happened on 20 October 2010.

He was attempting to free a strip of metal from the rolling mill when his gloved right hand became caught on an in-running nip and was trapped between two powered rollers.

The injured worker said he was aware of the risks of in-running nip points but had felt he would be safe, because he had turned off the rolling mill. He was unaware that the tension rollers were powered separately, so kept running when the rolling mill was switched off.

The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) found that the company had failed to make a suitable assessment of the risks, and provide appropriate information, training and supervision. It had also failed to put a system in place to ensure employees could work safely while working on the rolling mill, and there were no fixed guards or safety devices.

The Riccarton firm pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

After sentencing, HSE Inspector Russell Berry said: "This incident could easily have been avoided had the company taken the necessary precautions."

And he added: "The necessity for guarding in-running nips has long been recognised and, clearly, Mahle Engine Systems should have put measures in place to prevent the worker becoming trapped."

Brian Tinham

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