Company fined as worker suffers six bone fractures

Andrew Elson said he "totally lost my independence for around two months"

A manufacturing company has been fined £28,000 after an employee broke his arm while operating machinery.

Andrew Elson from Rugby suffered six fractures in his right arm and hand which required surgery, while working at Screening Consultancy and Supplies Ltd on 25 November 2022.

The 54-year-old had been clearing debris off the bed of a radial arm drill at the firm’s site on Somers Road in Rugby, when his right hand became entangled in the machine.

Mr Elson said: "I totally lost my independence for around two months and my wife had to do everything.

“I don't know what the future holds. I work a manual job with my hands, I don't know how long I can continue to do this for.

“I still have trouble using my hands and fingers, and sometimes I wake up and they are stiff, numb, and achy.”

The drill which caused Mr Elson's injuries

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Screening Consultancy and Supplies Ltd had failed to undertake a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk associated with this work activity, and subsequently failed to implement a safe system of work.

Screening Consultancy and Supplies Ltd, of Somers Road, Rugby, Warwickshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Mr Elson sustained six fractures to the ulna and radius bones in his right arm, which required surgery

The company was fined £28,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,616 at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

HSE inspector Charlie Rowe said: "This prosecution highlights how employers should adequately assess the risks and then ensure they have a safe system of work in place for the operation of all machinery."