April 19, 2017 4.02 pm This story is over 83 months old

Construction company fined after worker loses fingers in site mixer

A Scunthorpe construction company has been ordered to pay out almost £8,000 after one of its workers suffered life-changing injuries to his hand. Nuneaton Magistrates’ Court heard how Coldmac Limited had been appointed specialist contractors for a new footway. On April 8, 2015, the worker was using a screwdriver to scrape asphalt residue off the mixer…
Photo: Tim Ellis

A Scunthorpe construction company has been ordered to pay out almost £8,000 after one of its workers suffered life-changing injuries to his hand.

Nuneaton Magistrates’ Court heard how Coldmac Limited had been appointed specialist contractors for a new footway.

On April 8, 2015, the worker was using a screwdriver to scrape asphalt residue off the mixer they had been using when the screwdriver slipped causing the worker to catch on the lip of the mixer, causing him to lose middle and index fingers.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the guarding on the mixing machine was below the safety standard required in order for people to safely operate the machinery.

Coldmac Limited of Midland Road, Scunthorpe, pleaded guilty of breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, and has been fined £6,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1995.92.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Luke Messenger said: “This case highlights the importance of safety checking equipment and machinery, ensuring that they have the appropriate guarding in place to avoid serious injuries like this.”

Lincolnshire Reporter has attempted to contact Coldmac Limited, however, at the time of writing has had no response.