Manufacturer fined after worker injures hand unblocking machine

A Manufacturing company is fined, after Machine injures Workers hand.Burnley Magistrates’ Court has fined WEPA Professional UK Limited £60,000.

The penalty follows a severe accident at the company’s Blackburn factory. An employee suffered serious hand injuries while clearing a machine blockage.

The Dangerous Clearing Attempt

The incident involved a 24-year-old lead machine operator. He worked at the Waterfall Street premises.

During production, a tissue blockage stopped the machine rollers. Consequently, the worker attempted to clear the paper by hand.

He instructed a colleague to ‘jog’ the machine. This action moves the motor in small increments.

However, the machine suddenly trapped his right hand in the roller. Although he pulled his hand free, he sustained severe crushing injuries.

HSE Uncovers Ignored Safety Risks

Following the injury, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched a thorough investigation.

Ultimately, investigators found that tissue blockages happened regularly. Workers cleared them two to three times a day.

Despite this frequent hazard, management failed to implement a safe system of work.

Furthermore, a 2021 risk assessment explicitly recommended formal safety procedures. Sadly, the company never actioned these crucial changes.

Ignoring Industry Safety Guidance

HSE guidance highlights the absolute importance of proper safety rules. Employers must enforce safe isolation and lock-off procedures before any maintenance work.

Consequently, firms must isolate equipment from all power sources. Regular monitoring must also prevent accidental contact with dangerous parts.

Unfortunately, WEPA Professional UK Limited failed to meet these standards.

Court Imposes Heavy Fines

Because of these safety failures, the manufacturer pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.

On 29 April 2026, Burnley Magistrates’ Court ordered the company to pay a £60,000 fine. Additionally, the court ordered £5,107 in prosecution costs.

An Avoidable Workplace Injury

Reflecting on the verdict, HSE Principal Inspector Emily Osborne issued a strong warning to manufacturing firms:“A young worker was left with a serious injury as a result of an accident which could easily have been avoideThere was no safe system of work in place for the task as well as a lack of instructions and training to ensure workers knew how to carry out the task safely.

Instead, the firm’s failures led to the man suffering a severe injury to his right hand.”

Further Information and Guidance

• TIP : HSE Guidance onsafe use of work equipment highlights the importance of following safe isolation and lock-off procedures before carrying out any maintenance or unblocking work on machinery.

• Safety Requirements: Employers must legally provide adequate training and formal safety procedures for machinery maintenance.

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