50k penalty after Lithuanian worker loses finger

Prosecutions and Claims |
23.01.2008

A composting company must pay nearly £50,000 in fines and costs after a Lithuanian worker suffered serious injuries to his hand and arm when it was dragged into a conveyer belt.

An HSE investigation found the guarding on the machine was inadequate.

The accident happened in April 2006 at County Mulch's site in Bury St Edmunds. Employee Igor Popov was cleaning under a conveyor used to transport compost from the ovens. He was scooping out compost using a fork when his hand became trapped between the belt and the scraper bar on the underside. His arm was pulled into the machine and he suffered serious injuries to his forearm, wrist and palm. His little finger was amputated.

HSE inspector Edward Crick told HSP the guarding on the conveyer belt "just wasn't up to scratch" and there were "shortcomings" when it came to training, in terms of translation of documents such as risk assessments.

After the accident, County Mulch completely enclosed the area in which Popov was injured, installing an eight-foot fence which is interlockad all the way round the machinery. They are in the process of translating safety documents for their Lithuanian and Russian employees and are looking at introducing pictorial guidance to overcome language difficulties.

"It's something they should have been thinking about before the accident occurred," said Crick, "but they've definitely taken it into consideration since."

County Mulch pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act and Regulation 16 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations.

On 17 January the firm was fined £20,000 for each charge plus full costs of £9,000.