Firms guilty over worker’s accident

Two companies have pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations after a worker miraculously survived being dragged through a gap in a machine no wider than a CD case in Barnsley.

Compass Engineering Ltd and Kaltenbach Ltd were prosecuted after Matthew Lowe sustained horrific injuries when he was dragged through a machine for processing heavy steel beams at a factory in December 2008.

Mr Lowe, now 25, ruptured his stomach and bowel, broke his back in two places, shattered his pelvis and fractured both hips, his right arm and several ribs when all bar his head was dragged through the five-inch gap.

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He had only been working on the machine for several days and was learning how to use it when the accident happened but he survived and returned to work to retrain in a different role.

An HSE investigation revealed there was no guarding in place to protect the worker from dangerous moving parts on the computer-operated machine, which was the size of several tennis courts.

Both companies admitted one charge each of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecuting, Chris Chambers said he suffered “life-threatening and life-changing” injuries and his family was told to prepare for the worst.

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The court was told he survived the ordeal and went on to make a good recovery, although he still suffers from some physical and emotional problems.

The court was told there was a history of serious accidents on this type of machine at different factories.

After hearing details of the accident, magistrates decided they did not have sufficient powers to sentence and the case was sent to Sheffield Crown Court, where sentencing will take place on June 30.

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