The Importance of a Safe System of Work

We wrote last week about how a woodworker had been fined for allowing access to an unguarded circular saw blade.

This week a manufacturing company has been fined £4,700 following an accident which illustrates just how dangerous such blades can be. Their employee was using the circular saw to manufacture playground equipment when it ‘kicked back’, causing severe lacerations to his hand. The employee lost four fingers as a result of the accident.

Speaking after the hearing, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) descibed the accident as “a completely preventable incident” and blamed an unsafe system of work.

It is the employer’s duty to provide all of their employees with a safe system of work. Failure to do so is an offence and is also likely to constitute negligence and/or a breach of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

If you have been injured as a result of your employer’s negligence they may be liable to pay you damages for your pain, suffering and loss of amenity as well as any loss of earnings or other expenses. If you have had an accident at work please contact Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors for advice.