One Cheshire chemical factory worker may be considering whether to file a personal injury compensation case against his employer after an accident involving his right hand being dragged into metalworking lathe.
The worker, who was not named for privacy and legal reasons, had been using the lathe to scour the rust from a hitch pin when his gloved right hand was drawn into the rotating mechanism of the machine, according to accident claim specialists. The worker not only sustained damage to his little and middle fingers but also ended up having his ring finger completely severed in the accident at the Runcorn chemical plant, located in South Road.
Immediately following the incident, the Health and Safety Executive launched an investigation into the matter, revealing that Ineos Enterprises Ltd, the company in question, had instituted a policy which had employees wearing gloves whenever they stepped out onto the floor of the shop. Moreover it was found that workers even faced reprimands for neglecting the rule regarding gloves.
Unfortunately for Ineos, this contravenes health and safety regulations that indicate gloves should not be worn whilst engaged in the operation of metalworking lathes. The discovery was also made by the HSE that some of the machines at the Cheshire factory, which included the metal working lathe that was involved in the incident, had not been fitted with the proper safety guards.
The HSE prosecuted Runcorn-based Ineos Enterprises Ltd, of South Parade, and the company was given a fine of £12,000 for their role in the man’s injuries. At a hearing at Runcorn Magistrates’ Court, Ineos admitted to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act and was additionally ordered to pay £6,607 in court costs.
In the wake of the hearing one inspector of the HSE, Mhairi Duffy, remarked that Ineos had neglected to consider what possible implications there could in regards to its new glove-wearing policy. The company now may face an even more expensive personal injury claim from its unnamed worker, as well.