Window Manufacturer Fined for not Insuring Contract Staff
M&M, a window manufacturing unit was fined by the HSE for an accident in their factory at Quarry Bank. Dudley Magistrates imposed a fine of £10,000 with an additional £2,500 payable as costs.
The details of the accident were presented in court by the HSE prosecutors. Agency worker Jeremy Adams was working with a double pivoting head mitre cutting saw when he was cutting window frames. During this work, his hand got caught in the sharp saw blade. The contractual staff employee lost the index finger in the left hand in the accident. His middle finger which was also badly mangled, was reconstructed through surgery.
Following questioning by the HSE, it was revealed that he was not insured against such workplace accidents by the company. M&M Windows Ltd officials stated that they were not aware that they had to insure even those employees who were working with them on contract.
The HSE prosecuted the window manufacturing company for not having proper insurance as per the Section 1(1) of the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 as well as for breaching sections of the Health and Safety at Work act. The HSE Inspector in charge of the case, Jenny Skeldon, stated that it was the moral responsibility of the employer to have an insurance policy for all members of their staff; even if they are on contract. She further stated that the work that an employee does will determine the kind of insurance policy required.
Skeldon also mentioned that if the company had taken the required precautions they would have been able to prevent this accident. The evidently dangerous saw blade should have been guarded better in which case the worker would have been safe.
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