UK HSE: Worker suffers life-changing crush injuries – rotating machine
- Safety Flash
- Published on 18 December 2018
- Generated on 3 February 2026
- IMCA SF 28/18
- 1 minute read
The UK Health and Safety Executive (UK HSE) have prosecuted a printing company after an employee suffered life-changing crush injuries whilst cleaning rotating machinery.
The injured person sustained the crush injury whilst cleaning a rotating roller on a production line. The cloth that the worker was using got caught in the machine, and the worker was drawn into the rollers. The incident resulted in the employee having the middle finger of the right-hand amputated; two other fingers were fractured and there was some degloving of the skin.
HSE investigation revealed that the company had not adequately guarded the rotating rollers, which would have prevented access to the dangerous parts of the machinery. The UK HSE noted that “This injury could have been easily prevented, and the risk should have been identified. Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measure like suitable guards, to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery”.
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