Egger UK in Hexham fined over accidents

Feb 27 2009 By Paul James

THE owners of a Northumberland chipboard plant have been ordered to pay more than £37,000 after two workers were injured in separate accidents.

In one of the incidents at the Egger UK plant in Hexham in 2007, a man had to have part of his leg amputated.

The company, which employs about 400 people at Hexham, admitted six breaches of health and safety legislation at the town’s magistrate’s court. It was fined £25,000 and ordered to pay £11,881 in costs.

The first incident took place on May 18, 2007 when a worker was crushed after a set of clamps that formed part of a chipping machine fell on top of him.

The second incident occurred on August 7, 2007 when a worker became trapped between a conveyor and processing machine. He suffered severe injuries that resulted in his leg having to be amputated below the knee.

HSE Inspector Bruno Porter said: ``A worker was clearing a blockage on the Pessa machine, which takes the lengths of trees and logs and chips them as the first part of the chipboard manufacturing process.

``While clearing the blockage, a set of heavy clamps dropped onto the worker resulting in serious crush injuries.

``Just three months later, another worker became trapped in a different machine, which led to the worker having to have his leg amputated.

``Employers must prevent or control risks to people’s health from equipment they use at work.

``An employer must ensure that appropriate risk assessments have been carried out, and that all work equipment is suitable for use.

"Any assessment and safe working practice must include safe isolation of all sources of energy, electrical and mechanical."

For the full story see The Journal tomorrow.