Poor guarding causes loss of 2 finger in noodle-making machine

SCLA Limited was fined £30,000 + costs after a worker suffered life changing hand injuries while operating machinery.

The circumstances were:

• On 17 December 2015 the worker was working to clear a blockage on one of the noodle production lines.
• A risk assessment was in place but was unsuitable.
• The company failed to ensure that the guards on the machine being used provided the necessary protection for the operators.
• The worker's index and middle fingers on his right hand were severed by the machine.

The HSE inspector said:
“The consequences of not guarding dangerous machinery are often catastrophic and life changing. This case demonstrates a straightforward, systematic approach to assessing machinery and ensuring that it is adequately guarded can play a significant part in reducing the risk of injury.”