Oldham duvet firm fined £13k over worker's hand injuries
- Published
The man sustained serious injuries to his right hand at Azura Soft Furnishings Limited's factory in Oldham
A furnishings firm has been fined £13,600 after an untrained worker severed his finger in a machine.
The employee at Azura Soft Furnishings Limited in Oldham had used an unchecked duvet rolling machine and caught his hand in its moving parts in 2018.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company and its director had failed to provide a safe working system and sufficient training for its staff.
At Manchester Magistrates' Court the company admitted safety breaches.
The HSE said two workers had been instructed to sew and pack duvets by the firm's director, Tariq Majid, on 13 November 2018.
One of the employees was untrained and was not authorised to operate the machine, which was being trialled by the company, based in West End Street.
The worker suffered serious injuries to his right hand and severed part of his finger.
Investigators found foil had been placed over the sensors on the door guard, allowing them to stay open during operation, which provided its operators with a clearer view.
'Entirely preventable'
The HSE said Mr Majid, 44, had failed to take action when he saw the untrained employee using the machine and was unaware the sensors had been overridden.
The company and its director failed to provide a safe system of work and to recognise the way in which their employees were working, the hearing was told.
Sufficient training had not been provided, the HSE added.
Mr Majid, from Oldham, accepted a formal caution with regard to the health and safety breach.
The company was also ordered to pay costs of £17,260.90
HSE inspector Peter Lennon said the man's injury was "entirely preventable".
"Directors have a responsibility to ensure that they recognise the way in which their employees are working and deal with any unsafe working practices," he said.
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