Company fined after contractor injures hand on unguarded machine
Media Release
18 August 2011
A Lower Hutt-based joinery company has been fined $25,000 after a contractor suffered injuries to his left hand while operating an unguarded planer.
The Wellington District Court also ordered Grimes & Browning (2000) Limited to pay the employee $5,000 in reparations following the accident on 29 April 2010.
“The contractor was operating an unguarded planer when his hand slipped and his ring finger came into contact with the exposed blades,” says the Department of Labour’s Central Regional Manager, Brett Murray.
“The contractor was left with significant injuries to the knuckle and tendons of his ring finger on his left hand.
“Our Guidelines for Safe Use of Woodworking Machinery very clearly state that every planing machine used for overhand planing should be fitted with a bridge guard.
“In this case those guidelines were not adhered to, exposing the contractor to an unacceptable risk. It could have easily been avoided if the plane had been fitted with a simple guard,” says Mr Murray.
The Department has a project under way to help reduce the number and severity of machinery-related accidents.
The Safe Use of Machinery project is now into its second year and involves inspectors talking to employers about machine guarding and reminding them of their responsibilities under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 to keep their employees safe while at work.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
- Grimes & Browning Joinery (2000) Limited was convicted on one charge under Sections 18(1)(b) of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.
- Section 18(1)(b) of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 states: Every principal shall take all practicable steps to ensure that—
- (a) no employee of a contractor or subcontractor; and
- (b) if an individual, no contractor or subcontractor,— is harmed while doing any work (other than residential work) that the contractor was engaged to do.
- The Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 is available online: http://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1992/0096/latest/DLM278829.html
- The Department of Labour’s Guidelines for Safe Use of Woodworking Machinery are available online: http://www.osh.dol.govt.nz/order/catalogue/112.shtml
Media contact: 0274 422 141 or email media@dol.govt.nz
