Worker Loses Fingers in Unsafe Mixer

Coldmac Limited has been fined after one of its workers suffered life-changing injuries to his hand using an unsafe mixer which required surgical intervention.

Nuneaton Magistrates Court heard how Coldmac Limited had been appointed specialist contractors for a new footway. On 8 April 2015 the worker was using a screwdriver to scrape asphalt residue off the mixer they had been using when the screwdriver slipped causing the worker to catch on the lip of the mixer and causing him to lose middle and index fingers.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the guarding on the mixing machine was below the safety standard required in order for people to safely operate the machinery.

Coldmac Limited of Midland Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire pleaded guilty of breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and has been fined £6,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1995.92.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Luke Messenger said: “This case highlights the importance of safety checking equipment and machinery, ensuring that they have the appropriate guarding in place to avoid serious injuries like this.”