Fine over hydraulic press accident
02/09/2010
An accident in which a worker's fingers were crushed in a hydraulic press has led to a fine of over £2,000 for two Leeds-based company directors.
The unnamed 57-year-old employee severed the ends of two fingers on April 2009 at the metal fabricating firm formerly owned by Dennis Brunt and Peter Critchard, Lupton Fabrications Ltd.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the photoelectric detectors - or light curtains - used to protect workers from the press closing, were not working at the time of the incident. Further investigation showed the safety procedure had been routinely overlooked for years.
Leeds magistrates heard the light curtains only became operational again following the serving of prohibition notices as part of HSE's investigation.
Dennis Brunt, was found guilty of breaching regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, as a former director of Lupton Fabrications Ltd. Peter Critchard was also found guilty of the same breach as a former fellow director of the company which operated from Unit A, Aquatite House, Water Lane, Leeds.
Stealsafe Ltd, Dennis Brunt and Peter Critchard's new company, was also found guilty of breaching the same regulation.
The two directors and Stealsafe Ltd were jointly fined £2,001 and ordered to pay £250 costs.
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