SCS fined after worker suffers multiple bone fractures
Screening Consultancy & Supplies fined £28,000 after employee has arm broken in six places
SCREENING Consultancy & Supplies Ltd (SCS) have been fined £28,000 after an employee broke his arm while operating machinery at the screen media manufacturer’s site in Rugby, Warwickshire, on 25 November 2022.
Fifty-four-year-old Andrew Elson had been clearing debris off the bed of a radial arm drill when his right hand became entangled in the machine, resulting in multiple fractures to the ulna and radius bones in his right hand and arm.
‘I totally lost my independence for around two months and my wife had to do everything,’ said Mr Elson. ‘I don’t know what the future holds. I work a manual job with my hands and don’t know how long I can continue to do this for. I still have trouble using my hands and fingers, and sometimes when I wake up, they are stiff, numb, and achy.’
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company had failed to undertake a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks associated with this work activity and subsequently failed to implement a safe system of work.
Screening Consultancy & Supplies, who pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, were fined £28,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,616 at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 19 September 2024.
HSE inspector Charlie Rowe said: ‘This prosecution highlights how employers should adequately assess the risks and then ensure they have a safe system of work in place for the operation of all machinery.’
