The need to undertake OHSAS 18001 training has been highlighted by the prosecution of a Solihull-based hammer manufacturer this week.

Thor Hammer Company was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay £2,594 in costs after it pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors brought the prosecution after one of the firm's employees suffered serious injuries in an accident with a drilling machine.

Aaron Watts was using an unguarded pedestal drilling machine when his glove became trapped, which resulted in serious injuries to the back of his right hand and his palm.

Following the accident, he was forced to take one month off work.

Clive Neil, HSE inspector, commented: "Once again we have an incident of an employee who suffered serious injury simply because there wasn't the necessary protection around the drill."

Earlier this month, Cannock manufacturing firm Romtech was prosecuted and fined £40,000 after one of its employees arms became trapped by a rotating drill and was seriously injured.

Posted by Andy Finch

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