Surgeons spend six hours saving worker’s arm after failings by clinical waste firm

The 42-year-old man was unblocking machinery belonging to Tradebe Healthcare National in Swindon when the incident occurred.

During a night shift, he attempted to clear an obstruction on an autoclave machine when his arm became trapped and crushed by the door.

The autoclave machine was being used to sterilise waste and was surrounded by an enclosure with a rear access gate.

The man had used this rear gate to access the machine when his colleague – who could not see him – mistakenly resumed operations.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found multiple failings by the company, including insufficient cleaning instructions.

HSE inspector Emma Preston said: “This was a harrowing incident made more tragic by the fact that events of this kind are all-too foreseeable.

“Accidents which happen when cleaning and maintaining machinery often result in life-changing injuries, which is why companies need to make sure they have robust lock-off procedures, effective guarding, and that all sources of power are fully isolated before work begins.

“The man affected by this incident faces a long road to recovery and we hope today’s outcome provides him a measure of justice.”

At the time of the incident, surgeons spent six hours saving the man’s arm and he has since had three major surgeries to restore the use of his hand.

While the surgeries were reportedly successful, he now suffers from “very limited” movement.

The HSE found the following failings on the part of the company:

• Not having sufficient measures in place to prevent their employees from being at risk when clearing blockages.
• Employees being exposed to risk, specifically in relation to the failure to properly isolate the machine before cleaning.
• Employees not being provided with sufficient information and instruction about how to use and how to clean the machine safely.
• Inadequate training being provided to employees, and employees not being suitably supervised.

Tradebe Healthcare National recently pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Alongside the £300,000 fine, the company was ordered to pay £18,710 in costs.