Luton manufacturer fined £120,000

A Luton manufacturer of adhesive tape has been fined £120,000 and ordered to pay costs of £15,192 after a worker was fatally injured while operating a machine. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the deceased was required to work close to an unguarded machine, which presented a hazard due to rotating parts. The risk assessment for the machine was inadequate because it failed to identify the rotating parts and other hazards on the machine. Therefore, machine operators were provided with inadequate information and training relating to the risks associated with this operation; and employees were placed at severe risk of injury.