Joinery Firm Fined £15,000 After Circular Saw Accident

A South London joinery firm was last week fined £15,000 after a worker lost part of a finger when using a circular saw. The court heard that the employee cut off part of his right hand index finger in March 2010 when using the machine in the company's carpentry and joinery workshop. The accident triggered a further investigation from the HSE, and, one month after the original incident, an HSE Inspector witnessed another employee using a spindle moulder, without safety precautions in place.

The HSE investigation found that the firm's lack of safety precautions consistently put the health and safety of its workers at risk. The employer had failed to give workers safety training, or provide adequate supervision and it was apparent that the company had no knowledge of the formal training that wood machinists should receive. The company, who are not BWF members, was found guilty of breaching, Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The sentencing took place at the City of London Magistrates' Court and the company was fined £15,000 today in addition to being ordered to pay £3,203.80 costs.

After the hearing HSE Inspector Clare Hawkes, said, "Woodworking machines have a long and serious accident history which is well known in the industry. It is the employers' job to ensure that workers have sufficient information and training to work safely and that they are properly supervised. It is also the employers' responsibility to enforce safety rules, not the employees."

BWF members are reminded that employers are also legally required to assess the risks at work, with companies of five or more employees having to record the significant findings of their risk assessment and have their Health and Safety policy in written form. The First Aid at Work Regulations require woodworking companies employing between five and 50 people, to have at least one qualified first aider. You can find model risk assessments, Health & Safety policies, and our machine safety cards in our publications library.