31/03/2010 - Drill injury leads to fine for firm
An employer suffered a broken finger and cuts to his arm when he became trapped in a drilling machine at an engineering company.
The incident saw Briggs of Burton plc, of Derby Street, Burton-on-Trent, fined £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,922.
The company pleaded guilty to charges of breaking Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, when it appeared at Burton-on-Trent Magistrates' Court.
The member of staff got the left arm of his overalls entangled in the pillar drill, which he was using in March 2009. The clothing was trapped in the rotating drill and he was unable to reach the off switch.
He was only freed after shouting to a colleague, who rushed over to turn off the machine and release him from it.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation later revealed there was no guard or emergency stop on the machine.
HSE inspector Gail Pannell said: "The employee was very fortunate the drill wasn't operating at a higher speed or his injuries could have been much worse. But they could have been prevented all together had the company complied with its legal obligation by having the necessary equipment installed."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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