Systematic failures blamed for accident

8:14am Thursday 21st August 2008

A man was part of a chain of "systematic failures" which led to a man losing his hand after it became caught in a machine at a Keighley factory, a court heard.

Graham Parker, production operative for Ammeraal Beltech in Parkwood Street, which makes conveyor belts, was told there was no guard in front of one of the factory's mixers.

A member of staff lost his hand before the situation was rectified.

He was prosecuted on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The organisation had already brought a case against the company which was fined £20,000.

Mitigating, Alun Jones said: "Mr Parker was the last man standing , it was a case of systematic failures rather than the defendant being at fault on his own.

"The company have moved on since this incident and have implemented a number of positive safety measures."

Mr Parker is now part of the health and safety committee for the company's production area.

Sentencing at Bradford Magistrates Court yesterday [weds], District Judge David Thomas said: "The company has already been heavily fined for the systematic failure to manage their employees and secure the machinery involved.

"You had a part to play in the events but you are not the only one by a long way, and it might seem unfair that you are the only employee to be singled out in this manner."

Mr Parker was sentenced to two years' conditional discharge and ordered to pay £500 court costs at Bradford Magistrates Court.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Paul Yeadon said: "Mr Parker had been made aware, before the incident, of the absence of a guard on the mixer. He was asked to ensure that this absence was rectified, but he failed in his duty, resulting in an horrific injury to one of the staff.

"The employer, Ammeraal Beltech, also failed to protect the health and safety of its workers.

"The injured person will now have to live with the consequences of these failures for the rest of his life.

"The Health and Safety Executive will not hesitate to prosecute employers who put the health and safety of their workers in danger, or employees who similarly endanger their colleagues."

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