Industry news
Worker loses fingers in machine
Posted Mon, 16 Jan 2012
A machine operator lost part of three fingers during an accident at a door-making plant in Derbyshire, a court has heard.
Hugo Valdes, 37, from Loscoe, had to have ongoing hospital treatment and has been unable to work after his left hand became trapped between two heated platens in a multi-platen door press.
Derby Crown Court heard that Mr Valdes was loading and unloading doors with colleagues at SIG Manufacturing Ltd on Milnhay Road, Langley Mill, when the accident happened on 18 February, 2010.
The Health and Safety Executive revealed that he was working at the back of the machine when he became trapped.
Investigators found that visibility was poor round the back of the machine, with staff using a 'thumbs up' signal system to indicate when they were clear.
However, one member of staff did not realise Mr Valdes was behind it and operated the press.
SIG Manufacturing Ltd, of Sheffield, was fined £25,000 and ordered to pay costs of £23,154 after admitting breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1988.
Copyright Press Association 2012