The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a metal recycling company after an employee’s hand was crushed in machinery.

In April 2008, 49-year-old David Lowery from Blackhill Colliery in County Durham and a colleague were working at the premises of European Metal Recycling Limited in North West Quay, Tyne Dock, using a machine that separates metal from dirt and eventually recycles the metal.

Both men were attempting to clear a blockage on a magnetic conveyor that was part of a riddling machine cleaning mud from scrap .

HSE investigators found that the system of work used – and the guarding to prevent access to dangerous parts of the machinery – was not adequate.

The machine had re-started during the clearing process and Mr Lowery’s right hand had become trapped. He suffered crush injuries and four broken fingers and was off work for six weeks before returning to light duties.

Mr Lowery still suffers pain in his hand in cold temperatures and has not regained full movement in one of his fingers.

On Monday, 19 April at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, European Metal Recycling Limited – based at Alexandra Dock 1 in Bootle, Merseyside – pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £5,506.50 costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Bruno Porter, said that David Lowery had suffered ‘extremely painful and permanent hand injuries’ because European Metal Recycling had failed to install ‘simple, protective guards’ on the machine – and ensure a safe system of work was being used.

‘Workers were exposed to the risk of having a limb crushed as they tried to clear blockages on the conveyor,’ said Mr Porter.

‘At the same time, there was no system forcing workers to stop the machine to clear blockages. It was only a matter of time before someone became injured.’

European Metal Recycling Limited was also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge by the court, which contributes to the cost of services for victims and witnesses.

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