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PHW · Machinery · 2026-08-19

Tradebe Healthcare National Limited fined £300,000 after a worker's arm was severed by an autoclave door

Marlow, Buckinghamshire · Not stated on the press release

What happened

On 4 February 2022 a 42-year-old night shift worker at a clinical waste disposal facility attempted to clear an obstruction from an autoclave machine and his left arm became trapped and crushed by the machine door, severing it below the elbow. A colleague, unable to see the worker due to a miscommunication, resumed operation of the machine.

Injuries: Underwent six hours of emergency surgery to save the arm, followed by three further major surgeries including skin grafts and vein transplants; now has very limited hand movement and constant pain.

The breach

Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

The sentence

  • Fine: £300,000
  • Costs: £18,710
HSE inspector

“This was a harrowing incident made all-too foreseeable; companies need robust lock-off procedures, effective guarding, and full power isolation before work.”

What would have prevented it

Lock-off procedures and full power isolation must be in place before anyone works on or near a machine, and never rely on shouted communication to confirm it is safe to restart.

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Source: HSE press release, Surgeons spend six hours saving worker's arm after it was severed below elbow in machinery incident