The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a packing company after an employee sustained a fractured wrist in an accident at the factory.

In October 2008, an employee at Integrated Packaging Ltd of Gateshead was working at a Kohmann 1440 window patcher machine, which stamps pieces of polyester film onto precut openings on cardboard cartons to create a window.

When the employee reached into the machine to remove a jammed item on the suction table conveyor belt, his hand became caught between the suction table conveyor belt and the delivery table conveyor belt. The employee sustained a friction burn and a fracture to his left wrist.

On Thursday (05/11/09) at Gateshead Magistrates’ Court, Integrated Packaging Ltd of Team Valley Trading Estate in Gateshead pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and Section 33(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

The company was fined £1,000, with £2,374.25 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Paul Miller said:

‘Employers who require their staff to operate machinery need to establish how this

work can be undertaken safely.

‘They must also put in place adequate safeguards and safe working practices to ensure employees are not exposed to dangerous parts of machinery. Management has a vital role to play in keeping employees safe whilst at work.’

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