Playground Equipment Manufacturer Fined after Accident

Playpower UK Limited, an international manufacturer of playground equipment, has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive, after a worker suffered an accident at work.

In June 2010, 55-year-old Allan Davis, of Selby, was employed by Record RSS, a subsidiary of Playpower UK Limited, when the accident occurred. Working at the firm's factory on the Shipyard Industrial Estate in Selby, Mr Davis was operating a circular saw to produce components for playground mini-roundabouts. While cutting a number of discs, the saw was said to have suddenly "kicked back," causing one of Mr Davis' hands to make contact with the blade.

Having been rushed to hospital, Mr Davis underwent surgery on his hand. Unfortunately, such was the severity of his accident, doctors were required to amputate each of his fingers above the first knuckle.

Appearing at Selby Magistrates' Court, Playpower UK Limited, which is based in Surrey, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Section 3(1) states: "It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety."  Playpower UK Limited was fined £4,700 and ordered to pay costs of £2,382.40 by injury solicitors.

After the court hearing, Health and Safety Executive inspector, Geoff Fletcher, said: "Mr Davis suffered a severe injury in a completely preventable incident. The method adopted for trimming the discs was inherently unsafe as the machine used was not designed for such work and the training was inadequate.

"The company's failure to provide a safe system of work is a serious offence. The absence of a proper procedure for making the discs meant an improvised and dangerous way of working had developed over time without assessment and any managerial oversight or supervision."

Workplace personal injury compensation claims are common in the UK, with many such cases involving slips, trips and falls from height. Accidents involving dangerous machinery also give rise to personal injury claims and employers must ensure that every effort is made to prevent serious accidents from occurring. In the present case, working with a circular saw is inherently dangerous, but measures can be implemented to reduce the risk of workers suffering injury. The machine ought to have been fitted with guards and regularly inspected and maintained.