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34 Autumn/Winter 2021 HEALTH & SAFETY A builder has been fined after a worker lost a finger whilst cutting timber. Brighton Magistrates’ Court heard that, two men were cutting timber joists for the flat roof of a domestic extension. A builder was carrying out the cutting using a circular saw, whilst the worker was holding the timber. During cutting, the saw slipped, amputating the worker’s index finger, severely damaging his middle finger and slicing open his thumb along its length. It was not possible to re-attach the amputated finger and the middle finger still has no movement or feeling. It is not known what, if any, movement will return following further operations. As a result of the injuries, the worker has lost 70% of the grip in that hand and is still suffering from post-traumatic stress. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that the work had not been properly planned and the risk of the saw blade coming into contact with the worker’s hands had not been considered. The timber should have been secured to a workbench or similar so that no-one else was needed to assist whilst the saw was in use. Benjamin Collier-Ware of Hailsham, East Sussex, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £1,969 with a victim surcharge of £181. He was also ordered to pay full costs of £3,940.20. WORKER LOST FINGER CUTTING TIMBER MULTIPLE WORKERS CONTRACTED OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE C onstruction company Peter Duffy Ltd was sentenced today for safety breaches after multiple employees were diagnosed with Hand Arm Vibration (HAVS). Leeds Magistrates’ Court heard that the company reported seven cases of HAVS between November 2016 and August 2018. All of the workers involved had been carrying out ground works involving vibrating tools. Many of them had been working in the industry for over 20 years. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that in 2016 the company contracted a new occupational health provider to replace their existing one. The diagnosis of the workers’ conditions resulted from these changes. Prior to the new company taking over the contract, there was no suitable health surveillance in place to identify HAVS. Peter Duffy Ltd of Park View, Lofthouse, Wakefield pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company has been fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £3,919 in costs. LORRY DRIVER FATALLY INJURED ON ROUTINE DELIVERY E gger (UK) Ltd has been fined after a self-employed lorry driver was killed making a routine delivery of recycled wood. Ayr Sheriff Court heard that, whilst standing on open ground at the rear of the trailer of his articulated vehicle, the driver Kenneth Aitchison was struck by a wheeled shovel loader operating in the yard at their Auchinleck premises in Scotland. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that the company’s risk assessments for workplace transport were not suitable or sufficient. This resulted in a failure to identify that pedestrians, including delivery drivers, were at risk of being struck by moving vehicles in the yard, despite the high level of vehicle movements and previous near misses. Consequently, the company failed to implement appropriate measures to control that risk, including the provision of designated pedestrian walkways. Egger (UK) Ltd of Technology House, Goldsworth Road, Woking pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974 and was fined £910,000.