22/09/2010 - Fabric manufacturer fined £13,500
A fabric manufacturer has been fined £13,500 after an employee's arm was crushed in a machine.
Robert Dunn had to have metal plates inserted to help support broken bones in his left arm after the incident last November.
E-Leather Limited, of Kingsbridge Centre, Sturrock Way, Peterborough, admitted breaching health and safety laws at Peterborough Magistrates' Court. It was fined and ordered to pay costs of £5,000.
Dunn, a 32-year-old agency worker, of Ringwood, South Bretton, Peterborough, was operating a a fabric winding machine when his arm was drawn into the roll of material and crushed, breaking all three arm bones. He also suffered ripped cartilage in his left knee, caused by the sudden movement.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found inadequate safety guards on dangerous parts of machinery and no sufficient and suitable risk assessment in place.
HSE nspector Alison Ashworth said: "Robert Dunn suffered a terrible injury because of an incident that was entirely avoidable. Proper safety guards play an important role in protecting workers from dangerous moving parts and the company had a responsibility to ensure suitable guarding was in place.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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