A company that manufactures absorbent products has been fined after an agency worker suffered a life-changing injury to her hand when it was caught in a rotating fan blade.
Manchester Magistrates' Court heard how in October 2017 an agency worker was on her second shift at the NPS Worldwide UK Limited site in Oldham. While removing a blockage inside the filling machine she had been operating, her fingers became caught in an unguarded rotating fan.
The agency worker:
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the fan had not been suitably guarded, putting employees and agency workers at risk. The company had failed to carry out a suitable risk assessment and provide adequate information, instruction and training to workers. No first aid provision was available on the night shift when the incident occurred, and this contributed to the injured person suffering further, as incorrect first aid was administered.
NPS Worldwide UK Limited pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations SI 1981/917. The company was fined £28,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,771.
HSE inspector Sharon Butler said, "this injury could have easily been prevented and the risk should have been identified".
"Employers must make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery".
