Brass-supplying firm fined after worker almost loses hand in accident

Redmans Solicitors
November 5, 2013

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that a Norfolk partnership has been fined after a worker almost lost a hand in an accident at work.

Mr Gavin Nobes, 41, worked at Marshall Brass, a UK-based suppliers of individually crafted brass and iron interior furniture fittings, until his accident on 27 February 2012. On the day in question Mr Nobes was polishing a cast brass clock face when the clock face snagged on a polishing wheel, drawing his right hand and arm into the machine. This almost resulted in Mr Bezel’s hand being completely severed and he had to be rushed to hospital to have his hand re-attached in surgery. One of the outcomes of the surgery is that Mr Nobes now has a metal frame inserted into his wrist, permanently limiting his movement.

The accident was reported to the Health and Safety Executive and steps were taken to investigate the incident. This investigation found that there were a number of health and safety breaches by the partnership, including the fact that the polishing lathe used to undertake the work of polishing the clock face was not suitable for such a task and that they had failed to put in place a safe system of work so that the job could be done safely. The HSE therefore recommended that the partnership be prosecuted.

The case came to the Norwich Crown Court on 4 November 2013. Marshall Brass pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 4(3) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and were fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £20,000 towards the prosecution’s costs.

Neither Marshall Brass nor their criminal defence solicitors appear to have commented after the conclusion of the case.

After the conclusion of the hearing Mr Anthony Brookes, an HSE inspector, stated: “This case illustrates the serious and life changing consequences of failing to assess whether a powerful machine is suitable for the task intended. Duty holders need to carefully consider whether a particular job presents risks not normally encountered in more routine day-to-day activity, and make the necessary adjustments to ensure a safe system of work remains in place.”

Chris Hadrill, a solicitor at Redmans Solicitors, commented: “Businesses have an obligation to comply with health and safety regulations in the workplace – a failure to do so can not only mean prosecution and a heavy fine but also permanent and serious injury to innocent employees.”

Redmans Solicitors are employment solicitors in Richmond London and can help you claim personal injury if you’ve been involved in an accident at work