A manufacturing employee’s fingers were crushed by an un-guarded trap point on a travelling stacker / lifter machine. The crush resulted in a major injury to the index and middle fingers on his left hand.

The machine had been in operation since July 2014 and had an EC declaration of conformity following essential directive 2006/42/CE (Machinery safety). Operation of the machine had been risk assessed locally and a visual task sheet was in place. As part of this assessment, other trap points had been identified and guarded.

During “buddy” training on this machine, the employee to be trained was standing on the step and operating platform next to the experienced operative while observing. This secondary position allowed his hand to reach and rest on the stop block, which was unguarded from the lowering carriage. During hydraulic lowering of the main carriage, the injured person’s fingers were crushed.

As part of the risk assessment, manufacturing facilities should take into account and ensure that they include any hazards created when more than one operative will access or come into contact with a machine simultaneously, e.g., training or maintenance purposes.

Guards to be installed before use and agreed with the machine manufacturer.