Saturday 26 March 2016

Strategic Safety Systems Ltd financially sound. Similar name companies not so sound

Don't get Strategic Safety Systems Ltd., mixed up with companies with a similar name but much less financially sound.
According to credit rating agency Experian, we have a credit score of 88 and are classed as Low Risk.
Other companies are:

  • Strategic Safety Services, credit score 19, classed as High Risk.
  • Strategic Safety Consultants, credit score 14, classed as Maximum Risk.
  • Strategic Safeguarding Solutions, credit score 10, classed as Maximum Risk.
We're going to be around for some time. Others may not.

Wednesday 23 March 2016

Inadequate guarding results in loss of finger

Swansea company ITW Limited, which manufactures plastic sheeting was fined £26,018 (inc.costs) after an employee suffered serious injury when his hand was caught and dragged into machinery.
The circumstances were:
  • There was inadequate guarding along the length of the production line, despite ITW Ltd having identified the risks.
  • On 30 May 2012 an employee was part of a maintenance crew repairing a break in the plastic sheeting processed by this line.
  • He was rethreading broken plastic sheeting into a pinch roll when his gloved hand was caught and dragged into the rollers. 
  • The first finger on his right hand was so badly damaged it was surgically removed below the knuckle.


Incorrect gloves causes entanglement with drill, loss of finger and £28,000 fine

Birmingham-based automotive company Lander Automotives Limited was fined £28,694 (inc. costs) after a worker lost his finger in a drill.
The circumstances were:
  • Lander Automotives failed to provide adequate training, a safe system of work, a risk assessment or method statement for drilling.
  • On 17 June 2015 an employee was operating the drill whilst wearing gloves.
  • A glove became entangled in the drill bit. 
  • He suffered partial amputation to the third finger on his right hand.

SSS Note: This is an example of where PPE if worn must be appropriate and not introduce additional risks. Any gloves worn near moving machinery must have low tensile strength so that they rip rather than cause this level of injury.