Worker slices arm after safety glove failure
Rare Butchers of Distinction Ltd also failed to report the serious incident at its premises on the Chiltonian Industrial Estate on July 21, 2011 within the legally required 10-day limit, taking 29 days to notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
At a hearing on May 1, London's Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that the injured worker, one of 50 employees at the firm, sustained a deep cut to his non-knife forearm while deboning a lamb shoulder.
Physiotherapy
He was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment and was off work for more than three months to undergo physiotherapy to rebuild strength in his left hand and thumb.
An investigation by HSE established that the employee, who does not wish to be named, was only wearing a wrist-length chain mail glove on his non-knife hand.
Magistrates were told that he should have been wearing suitable protection, such as a chain mail gauntlet as far as his elbow, and that had he done so the incident could have been prevented.
Protective equipment
Rare Butchers of Distinction Ltd pleaded guilty to single breaches of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 and the Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Act 1995 for failing to provide suitable protective equipment and for failing to report the incident in time. The company was fined a total of £2,750 and ordered to pay £3,690 in costs.
"The deep, painful cut the butcher sustained was entirely preventable had he been wearing elbow-length chain mail gloves, which should have been provided by the company as a matter of course," said HSE Inspector David Balfour.
"Working with sharp knives poses clear risks, but not enough was done to mitigate those risks. It is imperative that all employers properly assess the type of protective clothing or equipment their workers need, and provide it as necessary. It is also vital that serious incidents of this nature are reported within the ten-day legal guidelines."
