Quarry company fined £30,000 for safety failures
Firm prosecuted after worker seriously injured whilst repairing screening machine conveyor belt
A SCOTTISH quarry operator has been fined after an employee’s hand and arm were caught in a conveyor belt at a site in the Outer Hebrides.
Lochmaddy Sherriff Court heard how, on 2 November 2016, employees of MacAulay Askernish Ltd were undertaking maintenance work on the conveyor belt of a screener unit that was slipping at Askernish Quarry on the Isle of South Uist.
One of the workers, Donald Campbell, was leaning through the opening in the conveyor frame when his hand was pulled into the nip point between the drive drum and conveyor belt. His arm quickly became entangled in the mechanism, causing severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment.
An investigation by the HSE found the guarding of the screener unit was not adequate. The investigation also found the company failed to have in place a suitable procedure for isolation of the screener unit and to ensure the unit was maintained in good repair, as other guard panels were not in place.
Macaulay Askernish Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(1) of the Quarries Regulations 1999 and were fined £30,000.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Mike Tetley said: ‘This injury was easily preventable and the risks from this type of equipment are well known.
‘Companies operating belt conveyors must ensure access has been prevented to dangerous parts and that guards are properly maintained. Having a secure isolation procedure in place is also an essential control when undertaking maintenance work.’
