UK hose maker fined for safety breaches

ERJ staff report (DS)

Chichester, UK -- A Chichester rubber hose manufacturer has been fined £12,000 after three workers were injured on its premises over two months.

Oldham Seals Limited, of City Gates, Chichester in West Sussex, appeared at Chichester Magistrates Court on 14 October 2010 after pleading guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,151.25.

The court heard that on 6th May 2009, a hose builder was unwinding a fabric bandage that had been wrapped around a hose mounted on a rotating machine part called a lathe, while it was moving. The bandage wound round his left hand pulling it into the machine. It was tight enough to amputate his thumb and partially removing part of his index finger.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation showed that a further two incidents had taken place on this machine prior to this incident. A different worker had his glove entangled in the machine and he was pulled towards the rotating parts. He suffered bruising and cuts to his torso.

A third worker was winding a rope around a hose he was building on a lathe when his leg was caught and he was pulled towards the machine. The rope snapped but he suffered severe lacerations to his left leg.

This is an external link and should open in a new window. If the window does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Press release from UK Health & Safety Executive