Essex scrap metal company fined £200,000

An Essex scrap metal recycling company has been fined £200,000 after an employee’s arm was severed when it became entangled in a catalytic converter sampling machine. She passed her hand through an unguarded rotary valve to remove a blockage.  HSE guidance states that employers must take effective measures to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery. This will normally be by fixed guarding but where routine access is needed interlocked guards may be installed to stop the movement of dangerous parts before a person can reach the danger zone.