Tire services company prosecuted for safety failings

ERJ staff report (BC)

Bootle, UK – A Somerset, England tire services company has been fined after a labourer was injured when his trousers became entangled in an unguarded lathe.

David Humphries, 70, from Gillingham, sustained bruising and minor injuries to his right leg, arm and rear in the incident at Tire Renewals Ltd in Castle Cary on 18 August 2012. He died shortly after as a result of a heart attack.

Tyre Renewals was prosecuted by the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an investigation identified safety failings.

Yeovil Magistrates' Court heard that Mr Humphries was drilling a hole in a stock bar when his trouser leg became entangled in the rotating feed rod of the lathe.

HSE found that the lathe did not have a guard fitted as standard by the manufacturer to protect users while the machine was in use.

Had the company carried out a full risk assessment regarding the operation of the machine, the need for a guard would have been established. As such, the company failed to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery.

Tyre Renewals Ltd, of Torbay Road, Castle Cary, Somerset, was fined £9,000 (€10 460) and ordered to pay £16,302 (€18940) in costs after pleading guilty to a single breach of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Matt Tyler said:

"This incident could have been prevented had the company fitted a guard to the machine.

"The law clearly states that employers should take steps to protect employees from harm arising from their work. In the case of machinery, moving parts that could cause injury should be guarded or made safe so that people cannot come into contact with them."

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News release from Health & Safety Executive