UK HSE: Employee scalped when hair trapped in a pillar drill
- Safety Flash
- Published on 22 September 2021
- Generated on 14 February 2026
- IMCA SF 26/21
- 1 minute read
What happened?
The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has fined a company after an employee received scalping injuries when her hair became entangled in a pillar drill. Press release here.
An employee got her hair caught in a rotating pillar drill and as a result suffered life changing injuries when her scalp and part of her ear were torn off.
What went wrong?
Investigation revealed that:
- The rotating parts of the drill were not guarded in accordance with standard industry practice.
- The company’s own risk assessment for using the drill had identified that a guard should be fitted, but evidence obtained indicated the drill had been operated without one for several years.
IMCA members have reported a number of incidents where employees have suffered injuries from pillar drills or from other rotating machinery.
This is an area where a fresh focus may be productive in improving safety.
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