A 42-year-old man had to be hospitalised for three weeks after suffering multiple fractures in a crush accident at his workplace.

Mr Nikoloz Demetrashvili acquired his injuries after becoming trapped in a brick-making machine on 12th October last year. The machine crushed his right leg, leaving him with 'serious and life-changing injuries'.

His employers, Michelmersh Brick and Tile Company Ltd, have been fined £15,000 and ordered to pay a further £4,945 in prosecution costs after an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that flawed protective measures had enabled the accident to happen.

The company, based in Michelmersh, Romsey, pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrate’s Court yesterday (22nd August) to breaching the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

The court heard how insufficient guards on the brick-making machine meant that workers were able to access dangerous parts of it while it was still ‘live’. The incident last October occurred when Mr Demetrashvili was attempting to clear a blockage caused by two trays dropping onto a brick mould instead of one. He had followed instructions by disabling the pressure sensitive mats - designed to prevent access to the machine – so that he could keep the power running and free the trapped tray. The machine was not in production mode at the time but sensors were still active. As Mr Demetrashvili climbed onto the machine to reach the tray, a sensor activated and the turntable began to rotate, crushing his right leg and trapping him in the machine.

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Michelmersh Brick and Tile Co Ltd were served with an Improvement Notice by the HSE as a result of the incident, ordering them to implement further safeguards for the machine. They have since removed the switch which allowed the pressure mat to be over-ridden, so that it is now no longer possible for workers to gain access to the machinery while there is still power running to it.

Commenting on the case, HSE Inspector Daniel Hilbourne said: "This case highlights the importance of ensuring proper guarding of dangerous machinery at all times. It is vital for employers to ensure that staff cannot get dangerously close to machinery that is either moving or is likely to move with people in the immediate area.

"[...] Sadly, Mr Demetrashvili has been left with very serious and life-changing injuries because of safety failures that could easily have been avoided.

"This prosecution is a reminder to firms of the need to carefully consider the risks of machinery and to identify and implement adequate controls to protect their employees."

Hodgins Smith Consulting provides a number of services to help you maintain compliance with health and safety law and safeguard your employees and your business. Their Compliance Solutions range offers all-inclusive packages that can be tailored to the needs of your business and include services such as safety policies, health and safety site inspections, audits and risk assessments.

Bill Gellatly, Health and Safety Consultant at Hodgins Smith, says: "The manufacturing industry continues to be one of the most dangerous in Britain with almost 4,000 people suffering a major injury and 27 people losing their lives while working within the sector last year. We can provide information, advice and support to help businesses improve safety, protect their workers and avoid hefty fines and reputation-damaging court cases."

For more information, please call Hodgins Smith today on 01292 678 484.