The advice comes after FW mason & Sons Ltd of Private Road No 8, Colwick Industrial Estate, Nottingham, NG4 2EQ, Nottingham, was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay £2,497.50 costs at Nottingham Magistrates Court today after pleading guilty to breaching section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
The charges relate to an incident on June 27, 2007, when an employee of the firm, Paul Huckle, attempted to repair a fault when working on equipment which cuts timber. In doing so he suffered lacerations and damage to tendons and muscles and bone in his lower leg and was taken to hospital.
It was found that his employer failed to provide a safe system of work for replacing dislodged drive belts on the handling equipment of the timber processing line.
HSE Inspector Francine Clarke said:
"Today's judgement sends out a firm message to timber companies that correct systems must be in place for when machinery fails.
"Companies must provide adequate systems and instructions so that employees know what action to take when machinery fails so that repairs are carried out safely."
