Compensation claim news
08/03/2011

Toilet roll rewinding machine work injury

A 43-year-old worker at a toilet roll manufacturer in Neath in Wales, who suffered work injury, could now make a personal injury compensation claim.

While employed at the firm as a core operator, the victim's duties included helping his supervisor to clear toilet paper from a metal roller which was part of a rewinding machine.

The machine, used to layer the tissue, had been turned to "jog" by the worker's supervisor in order to reduce the machine's speed and allow the man to pull the paper out of the rollers.

While performing this task, the employee's hand became caught in the machine rollers where it suffered severe damage as it was crushed. He lost the use of three of his fingers on his left hand.

Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) investigations revealed that the company had not provided any safety shield over the hazardous parts of the rewinding mechanism.

The manufacturer pleaded guilty to breaking Provisions and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, and was fined £10,000 as well as being ordered to pay £1365 in court costs.

An HSE inspector stated that "[the victim's] injuries would have been avoided if simple precautions, in this case, a machine guard had been in place".

The man's life-changing work injury was preventable and, now that his employers have been found liable, he may wish to consult a solicitor in order to take legal action for his pain, suffering and loss of earnings.