Safety failings at a South Yorkshire engineering firm led to one of the most horrific accidents we have ever heard about. All because there was a lack of guarding in place to ensure safety.
Matthew Lowe, an employee at Compass Engineering Ltd peered into an outlet point to make checks on an automated steel beam conveyer system and got caught on moving parts, pulling him on to the conveyor. His body was forced between a wall and a moving measuring head gap, a space only 125mm wide (about the size of a CD). Somehow he survived, but sustained horrific injuries.
Mr. Lowe has his stomach and bowel ruptured, his back was broken in two places, his pelvis was shattered, and his hips, right arm, and several ribs were fractured. Somehow he survived, but now has to live a very different life due to the injuries he sustained.
The HSE investigation found that a simple lack of guarding around the area was what allowed this accident to happen. Both Compass Engineering and steel production manufacturer Kaltenbach Ltd. pleaded guilty to breaches of Health and Safety. The total fines paid were £75,000 with further costs of £40,000.
Large payouts such as this may act as a deterrent, but they don't get Mr. Lowe his quality of life back, and he will be dealing with the failings of his employer for the rest of his life. Simple safety checks and training could have prevented this from happening.
Source: HSE
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment