Glass firm fined after worker seriously hurt.
A glass manufacturer has been fined after an employee's arm was cut to the bone when a sheet of glass shattered in his hand.
The 37 year old man, worked in the glass toughening section of the Glass factory in the Bedfordshire town.
He picked up a large piece of glass when it cracked and shattered without warning. One of the shards lacerated his right forearm above his wrist guard, severing the artery, muscle and nerves.
He was taken to hospital where he received over 250 stitches. He wore a plaster cast for three months, and has lost the full feeling in his right forearm and some movement in his wrist. He is still undergoing physiotherapy and has since lost his job.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the incident found the protective equipment provided for its employees was inadequate and insufficient. It also found the company had failed to report a similar incident which had seriously injured another employee.
The firm pleaded guilty and for which it was fined a total of £11,200 with £3,977.40 costs.
HSE Inspector said:
"Had he been provided with full arm protection he would have avoided serious injury. Guidance on the provision of personal protective equipment for employees is freely available from HSE and trade associations, this could easily have been referred to.
"I am pleased to see the company are now issuing all their employees with cut resistant long sleeved polo shirts to wear while working in their factories.
"HSE will not hesitate to take action against companies failing to comply with the law."
Updated on 9/20/2011