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Machine operator seriously injured in workshop spindle moulder accident
Maplestead Limited of Ealing has been prosecuted by HSE after a workman was injured during machining of a wooden handrail using a spindle moulder.
He was working a corner piece when part of his hand came into contact with the spindle moulder blades. He suffered severe damage to his left hand and spent a month in hospital after the accident.
The HSE investigation found:
- the specific hazard during curved piece production had not been highlighted;
- suitable machine guarding was not provided;
- the machine lacked ‘limited cutter projection tooling’ to reduce the severity of injuries should a machine operator’s fingers touch rotating parts; and
- a lack of adequate supervision and training
Number of measures lacking
HSE Inspector Jack Wilby said:
“It is the responsibility of all companies to make sure that this work is properly planned and that adequate supervision and training is provided.
“Limited cutter projection tooling is a recognised standard of guarding for spindle moulders that has been compulsory since December 2003.
“Had any of these reasonably practicable precautions been taken, then it is unlikely that Rondeo Schoeman would have suffered these horrendous injuries.”
The company was convicted for breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, fined £1,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs costs of 2,000.