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PHW · Machinery · 2026-04-30

WEPA Professional UK Limited fined £60,000 after a machine operator's hand was crushed clearing a blockage

Blackburn, Lancashire · Burnley Magistrates Court

What happened

A 24-year-old lead machine operator suffered crushing injuries to his right hand when it became trapped in machinery rollers while manually clearing a tissue blockage. A colleague was operating the machine's jog function to move it incrementally while he cleared the blockage, with no safe system of work in place for the task.

Injuries: Serious crushing injuries to the right hand.

The breach

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

The sentence

  • Fine: £60,000
  • Costs: £5,107
HSE inspector

“There 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.”

What would have prevented it

Clearing blockages on running machinery needs a documented safe system of work and trained staff, not an ad hoc jog-and-clear routine.

How PHW helps

The machines, packs and quizzes that fit this kind of site.

Sector

Training and evidence for manufacturing sites

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Machine

Ride-on roller

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Quiz

Could a visitor on your shop floor check an operator's training record in under a minute?

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Source: HSE press release, Tissue manufacturer fined after worker injured hand unblocking machine