UK HSE: Worker loses fingers in crush injury during lifting operations
- Safety Flash
- Published on 20 October 2017
- Generated on 16 August 2025
- IMCA SF 26/17
- 2 minute read
The UK HSE reports that a company has been sentenced after a worker lost his middle two fingers at work
What happened?
The incident occurred whilst the man was trying to repair a main entrance gate. A guide roller on the underside of the gate had collapsed and two employees were tasked by their line manager to make the repair.
What went wrong? What were the causes?
The two workers attached a four-leg lifting chain to a forklift truck to lift the gate, which weighed in excess of 400 kg. However, the chains were too long, so they were adjusted using a shortening hook.
One of the men used the forklift to lift the gate approximately 45 cm above the ground so that his colleague could access the guide roller on the underside. As he reached under to do so, the chains slipped and the gate fell onto his hand. He lost the ring finger and his middle finger up to the first knuckle on his right hand.
What lessons were learnt? What actions were taken?
The Health & Safety Executive inspector commented that this kind of injury was easily prevented:
"The risks should have been identified. Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers in those safe methods along with effective supervision and monitoring."
Members may wish to watch IMCA’s short video Be prepared to work safely – watch your hands
Related safety flashes
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IMCA SF 08/16
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IMCA SF 04/16
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IMCA SF 03/05
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