Ouch!

[whiskywill]

http://press.hse.gov.uk/2013/sawmill-se ... 5-Nov-2013

 

[RogerS]

Jeepers and all they were fined was £30k!

 

[nathandavies]

can the worker sue? I think the 30k would be a starter if he can/does. reading what happened gave me one of those visions accompanied by a shiver.

 

[Racers]

Shocking! its Victorian sounding accident, how the hell in this day and age could that happen!

The blokes only 20 so the rest of his life isn't going to be much fun!

Pete

 

[doctor Bob]

As an employer I ensure my staff are trained and that equipment is up to scratch.
No just for their safety but also for my peace of mind.

 

[cedarwood]

Does read as though the company were cutting many corners very close and 30 grand wasn't enough of a penalty, judging by the chaps name I wonder if he was cheap foreign labour and he himself had no understanding of safety rules in this country. I have seen first hand a gang of polish builders working on a grade two listed house using power tools with the wires pushed into the socket of an extension lead and held there with matchsticks, the use of mobile scaffolding on uneven ground with proper chocks or proper boards just a piece of old half inch ply and that is how they undercut our guys who spend a fortune doing it right. (hammer)

 

[Max Power]

Dreadful, what a terrible thing to happen to such a young person

 

[dann]

Does read as though the company were cutting many corners very close and 30 grand wasn't enough of a penalty, judging by the chaps name I wonder if he was cheap foreign labour and he himself had no understanding of safety rules in this country. I have seen first hand a gang of polish builders working on a grade two listed house using power tools with the wires pushed into the socket of an extension lead and held there with matchsticks, the use of mobile scaffolding on uneven ground with proper chocks or proper boards just a piece of old half inch ply and that is how they undercut our guys who spend a fortune doing it right. (hammer)

Ive seen that sort of carry on too, no wonder its harder and harder to make a living these days.

 

[tobytools]

I've heard of polish scam artists but that's a tad far, some people will do anything for a day off

TT

 

[riclepp]

can the worker sue? I think the 30k would be a starter if he can/does. reading what happened gave me one of those visions accompanied by a shiver.

Yes he can, as so far it is only the state that has prosocuted the sawmill under criminal law...So can the worker under civil law.

As the document stated there was a lack of formal induction Training, information and supervision,
Lack of guarding of the equipment,
Possible lack of PPM's, inspections and testing of the equipment (not that it stated these just assuming)
Risk Assessments, Method Statements, emergency procedures for the machine,

Also, one needs to consider how good was his English, could he communicate or as in most cases proberly note (cheap worker etc).

I see this type of scenario a hell of a lot in my Job.....as long as I draw breath some employers will cut as many corners as they can to save a few quid, but at what cost.

The sawmill got fined the appropriate amount for the breech of legislation (HSAW 1974) and costs, but that is what the law demanded. There are moves afoot to increase the level of fines based on turnover and not what profit the company has.

 

[Peter Sefton]

A very nasty accident, these things do happen very quickly, I am sure some workers do cut corners Polish or otherwise but it is down to the foreman / management to ensure the machinery is used safely and the workplace is well managed both for profit and people.