An Oldbury-based metal polishing company has been fined after a serious workplace incident involving unguarded machinery resulted in life-changing injuries to an employee.
FMP West Midlands was prosecuted following an incident at its Rood End Road site on 8 July 2024. An employee was operating a tube polishing machine when his hand became caught in exposed moving parts while loading metal tubes.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the equipment was not adequately guarded and required manual intervention due to faulty rollers.
The subsequent investigation concluded that the company had failed to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery, specifically the rotating cogs and chains within the polishing machine.
HSE guidance under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 requires employers to either fully enclose hazardous machinery components or put other effective protective measures in place.
FMP West Midlands Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. At Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Friday 5 December, the company was fined £24,000 and ordered to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge and £4,073.10 in costs.
HSE inspector, Taila Phelan said: “This incident was entirely preventable. There is clear and long-standing guidance on machinery guarding to prevent access to dangerous parts. The failure to maintain proper guarding standards is not acceptable and too many workers are still being injured by machinery due to employers not taking the necessary steps to protect their employees.
“The tube polishing machine was not up to safety standards. Had FMP West Midlands Limited installed suitable guarding, this life-changing injury would not have occurred. The fine imposed should send a clear message to industry that HSE will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those who fail to comply with health and safety regulations.”