Firm hit with £28,000 fines after two accidents at Troon plant
2 SeptemberA Troon sawmill has been fined a total of £28,000 after two of its employees were severely injured in separate incidents less than three months apart.
Adam Wilson and Sons in Troon have been hit by the fines after injuries to two employees at its plant on Harbour Road in the town.
On 28 May 2007, John Wilson, 55, of Dalmellington, Ayrshire, was working when he fell through a gap in a raised walkway left open after work had been done on a conveyor belt below. He suffered serious injuries to his arm and permanent loss of movement in his shoulder as a result of the fall.
Less than three months later, on 24 August 2007, Robert Cumming, 59, of Ayr, was working at the same plant when his head was trapped between the metal parts of a hoist after it was switched on while he was working on it. He suffered serious crush injuries to his head and neck and required emergency surgery. He is having ongoing physiotherapy for his injuries.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that Adam Wilson and Sons did not have safe systems of work in place for maintaining the conveyor belt, or the hoist machine.
The investigation also found that staff had not been given enough information, training, instruction and supervision on the importance of safe systems of work and machinery isolation when doing maintenance work.
They were fined £8,000 for the first incident, £20,000 for the second incident.
You can read more on the Health and Safety Executive's decision here.
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