Serious hand injury: Worker injured by machinery

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 13 April 2016
  • Generated on 18 November 2025
  • IMCA SF 08/16
  • 1 minute read

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has reported that a company was fined after an employee suffered serious injury when his hand was caught and dragged into machinery. 

What happened?

The employee was part of a maintenance crew 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 had to be surgically removed below the knuckle.

An investigation by the UK HSE into the incident, which occurred in 2012, found that even though the company had identified the risks, there was still inadequate guarding of the machinery.

Members may also wish to review the following safety poster:

Latest Safety Flashes:

Fingertip crush injury sustained during lifting operation

A rigger sustained crush injuries to several fingertips working on deck during the relocation of a pressure cap

Read more
Stay in the right place – the importance of personal positioning

A member reports two dissimilar events, both of which highlight the importance of ensuring you are not in the wrong place.

Read more
Slipped on stairs, broken finger

A worker slipped while descending the staircase, and broke his finger as a result

Read more
Condensation Hazard on Electrical Panel (440V)

During a recent inspection, condensation water was observed dripping directly onto a 440V electrical panel in the engine room.

Read more
Broken equipment repaired or replaced

A member highlights several cases of emergency equipment being broken or unserviceable.

Read more

IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.

The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.

All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.

The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.

Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.