Wood recycler fined after worker loses foot

Categories: General Health and Safety |


Wood recycler fined after worker loses foot The owner of a wood processing plant in Penrith, Cumbria, has been fined £20,000 after a worker had his foot completely severed by a log shavings machine.

The 56-year-old man was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for putting workers at risk and ordered to pay £6,146 in costs.

Penrith Magistrates' Court heard that the employee, who was only two weeks in to his new job, was using a chainsaw to deal with a stuck log in the log box at the end of a conveyor.

He was injured when he lost his balance and his right foot became caught in the 48 razor-sharp revolving blades at the bottom of the log box.

Commenting after the hearing, Faye Wingfield, the investigating HSE inspector, said: "Life-changing incidents such as this one are easily preventable and it must be a high priority for employers to ensure that their workers are kept safe from serious injury and death at work.

"This case illustrates the personal consequences suffered by employees when workplace risks are not managed effectively."

Due to the dangers associated with using heavy machinery, Britons employed within the manufacturing industry are encouraged to use appropriate workwear.ADNFCR-1200-ID-19825161-ADNFCR

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