Woolsey & Sons Ltd, a concrete product manufacturer in County Armagh, has been penalized by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) following an inquiry into a workplace safety incident.
Recent Legal Action:
On 21 June 2024, Craigavon Crown Court imposed a £16,000 fine on the company after it admitted to a breach of health and safety regulations.
Incident Details:
The court was informed that on 14 January 2021, an employee sustained severe arm injuries while working on a conveyor at a concrete batching plant. The worker was attempting to remove a sand blockage from the conveyor’s tail pulley when the accident occurred. Despite the removal of safety guards for maintenance, the conveyor remained operational, leading to the incident.
Comments from HSENI:
Justine McIntyre, HSENI Principal Inspector, emphasised the obligation of employers to protect employees from the dangers of unguarded machinery. She highlighted the necessity for proper isolation and lockout procedures, as well as risk assessments and control measures for maintenance activities, especially when safety guards are not in place.
Investigation Findings:
The investigation revealed the absence of formal isolation and lockout protocols and the lack of equipment for employees to secure machinery during maintenance. Additionally, there was no specific risk assessment outlining control measures for operating the conveyor without safety guards.
Specific HSENI guidance on machinery guarding, safe isolation and lockout procedures for the concrete products industry is available on HSENI website.
Practical guidance on plant isolation and lockout procedures can be viewed on HSENI YouTube channel at: