Brick manufacturer fined after employee seriously injured

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A brick manufacturer has received a significant fine after a 45-year old worker sustained serious injuries…

A case has been brought against a manufacturer of bricks for breaching health and safety rules. The incident occurred in February 2014 at Northcot Brick Limited’s Station Road site in Gloucester.

The charges were brought before Stroud Magistrates’ Court. The 45-year old worker was hurt after either stepping onto or falling onto a recently installed machine that breaks up clay. Despite a risk assessment identifying the machinery required guarding or barriers at the time of the accident there were no measures in place.

As a result of the incident the employee suffered serious injuries to his right leg as well as the partial loss of two toes.

The firm pleaded guilt to breaching Regulation 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £18,500, plus costs of £7,500.

Speaking after the hearing, Health and Safety Executive Inspector Ann Linden said: “This incident would not have happened if simple precautions such as putting up a barrier or guard had been in place.

“Safeguards cannot be relaxed because a machine is being commissioned or tested.”

Information about maintaining machinery safely can be found here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/safemaintenance/heavy-items.htm

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