Fine for tyre firm after worker dragged into machine

A worker at a tyre refurbishment company suffered significant injuries after being pulled into a machine.

Neal Hetherington was working for D&D Commercial Services on Lamson Road in Rainham, when he came into contact with the spinning blades of a tyre buffing machine.

The machine had been freewheeling to a stop after being used, when the 42-year-old was dragged into it by his t-shirt, which resulted in part of his torso being shredded.

Hetherington, from Woodford Green, required immediate hospital treatment for his injuries and was off work for several months afterwards.

The company, which specialises in commercial tyre re-treading, was fined £54,000 as a result of the incident on August 19, 2021.

Moveable tyre buffing machine arm with orange rasp covers open

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that D&D Commercial Services had failed to ensure that the hold-to-run controls were working as they should, and that the brake on the bladed rotating rasp was operational.

The brake should have stopped the rasp moving immediately on letting go of the controls, but in fact, would continue to freewheel for approximately five minutes before coming to rest.

HSE prosecuted D&D Commercial Services under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for its failure to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of its employees. The company did not enter a plea.

The court found the company guilty following a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court on September 4. They were fined £54,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,000.

HSE inspector, Oscar Dower, said: “This case sends a clear message to industry that HSE will hold companies to account if they fail to protect their workers.

“The company allowed its workers to use a machine that was not adequately braked or guarded, leading to significant and wholly avoidable injuries to one of its employees. If the company had ensured the machine’s safety features were working as they should have been, this would not have happened.

“Companies should ensure that safety features of work equipment always remain functional, so that workers are kept safe whilst using machinery.”

This HSE prosecution was supported by HSE enforcement lawyer Arfaq Nabi and Matt Reynolds and HSE paralegal officer Imogen Issac.