Wood recycler fined 20,000 after worker loses foot

And, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which brought the case, has urged employers take the necessary precautions to manage workplace risks in order to avoid “life-changing incidents” such as the one at AW Jenkinson .

Penrith Magistrates' Court handed owner Allan Wilson Jenkinson, 56, the fine last week (June 4) and also ordered the Penrith resident to pay £6,146 in costs following the incident that occurred on June 25 2010.

Mr Jenkinson pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, which states: “It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.”

The court heard how a 24-year-old employee, who has not been named, was using a chainsaw to deal with a stuck log box at the end of the conveyor. The employee lost his balance and his right foot became caught in the 48 razor-sharp revolving blades at the bottom of the log box.

The employee, who was working alone, crawled out of the log shavings box and used a radio to call for help. The court heard how the unnamed worker had only been working for the company for 15 days on a temporary contract.

Investigation

An investigation undertaken by the HSE concluded that Allan Jenkinson had failed to ensure that safe systems of work association with the shavings machine were in place.

And, since the incident, the company has installed fixed guards around the machine to prevent workers from being able to access the conveyors and log boxes.

Following the case, Faye Wingfield, the investigating HSE inspector, said: “Life-changing incidents such as this one are easily preventable, and it must be a high priority for employers to ensure that their workers are kept safe from serious injury and death at work.

“This case illustrates the personal consequences suffered by employees when workplace risks are not managed effectively. Employers who operate machinery are required to identify the risks associated with its use and establish what needs to be put in place so that work can be carried out safely.

“Safe systems of work should be devised and implemented, including the provision of appropriate worker training, supervision and personal protective equipment.”

AW Jenkinson declined to comment on the incident at the time of publication.