Durham County Council has been fined £13,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8,212.50 after a groundsman lost his left arm in a wood chipper machine in 2009.
The 25-year-old man was working in Spennymoor on 4 August 2009 cutting back bushes. When feeding the trimmings from the bushes into the mobile chipping machine, his glove or sleeve became caught on the machine itself, which dragged his left arm into it. Although co-workers managed to shut off the power to the machine, the Council worker's arm had been severed at the shoulder.
Surgeons at the James Cook University Hospital were unable to save any part of his arm, and could only treat the shoulder wound.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the potential for injury whilst using the machine was known to the Council, but they had failed to take it into account in any risk assessment. It also discovered that the worker's gloves or high visibility vest had become entangled in the trimmings he was feeding into the machine. Durham County Council admitted that it had failed to ensure the safety of an employee.
Victoria Wise, prosecuting for the HSE, said, "This was a tragic but avoidable incident that resulted in a young man experiencing a traumatic loss. Anyone who has reason to use machines like this should take note of the harm they can cause. It is essential that the machine has the appropriate safeguards and is adequately maintained. Operators should have had the relevant training and be provided with the correct personal protective equipment."
She added, "Specific health and safety guidance on the use of wood chippers was produced in April 2003 which clearly advises the use of non-snag outer clothing and gloves that are close fitting or tucked into the sleeves to stop them being caught on the material as it is fed into the chipper."
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