Company fined over severed armA company has been fined more than £16,000 after one of its employees had his arm severed while trying to clean a machine.
The worker was trying to clean a rotary valve at the premises of Kelso-based firm John Hogarth Ltd, when he slipped in February 2008. His right arm became lodged in the machinery - which had not been turned off - and his arm was severed 10cm below the elbow. He also suffered serious injuries and impairment when he fell three metres to the floor following the incident. A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the accident revealed that workers could only get access to the rotary valve by climbing a propped up ladder, walking along a narrow beam and then standing or sitting on a small wooden plank. The investigation also found that the switch to isolate the machinery from its electrical supply was difficult to reach. At Jedburgh Sheriff Court, the firm was given a fine of £16,750 - reduced from £25,000 - after the judge took into account the company's guilty plea. Copyright © Press Association 2010 | 
