Printing alert after two fatalities

News | HSP
29.05.2008

The HSE has issued a safety alert to printing firms that use hand-fed platen machines.

The alert follows two fatal incidents in which machine operators were crushed between the platens.

The incidents, which took place in April 2007 in London and May 2008 in Wakefield, are currently being investigated.

In both cases the machines were being operated in "dwell" mode. The HSE says it is "concerned with this activity in that the platen may automatically stroke at the end of the dwell period and safety devices may not be activated."

The safety alert highlights the dangers of using the dwell facility along with the steps employers need to take to ensure the machine can be used safely.

The alert is available here.