Haulage and waste processing business Loosemores Transport has been fined £18,000 after an agency worker received injuries while working on a waste sorting conveyor.
Telford Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 27 September 2016, the 18-year-old was attempting to clear a blockage beneath a waste conveyor belt at the firm’s facility in Battlefield, Shrewsbury. He tried to remove the material causing the blockage when his hand was drawn in by the in-running nip on the conveyor system.
He suffered partial amputation of his finger and a fractured elbow. An HSE investigation found there was inadequate guarding around the conveyor belt to prevent injury. Loosemores Transport, which pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, was ordered to pay costs of £2,026.
Following the hearing, HSE inspector Wendy Campbell said: “A young man’s life has been changed because the company failed to ensure there was correct guarding on the conveyor belt. This should serve as a reminder to all firms to check their machinery guarding is adequate and prevent access to dangerous parts.”
