A conveyor systems manufacturer in the Midlands has been hit with a significant fine after a teenage employee sustained a serious injury while operating machinery.
Factory Horror for Young Worker
An 18-year-old worker broke his arm after it became entangled in a rotating lathe at the Isoma Limited factory in Swadlincote. The workplace accident occurred on December 1, 2023, at the company's premises on the George Holmes Business Park.
The incident happened while the young man was deburring a metal component. He was using an emery cloth on the manual lathe but was not utilising a protective appliance, leading to his arm being caught in the moving machinery.
Health and Safety Investigation Findings
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Isoma Limited failed to provide a safe system of work for the deburring process. The company had also not carried out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for this specific task.
HSE guidance clearly states that employers must assess the risks of using emery cloth on rotating manual lathes. This assessment should determine if the use of emery cloth can be eliminated entirely. If not, a safe working method must be implemented to protect employees.
Legal Consequences and Official Comment
Isoma Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. At Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court on November 20, the company was fined £16,000.
The firm was also ordered to pay £4,357.77 in costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge.
Following the hearing, HSE investigating inspector Nicole Riley stated: “Every year there are accidents involving the use of emery cloths on metalworking lathes, resulting in serious injuries. This incident could have been avoided if Isoma Limited had put in place a suitable safe system of work for employees deburring workpieces on manual lathes. There is clear guidance available to companies who undertake this work.”
