£20,000 fine for metal firm after worker injured

Rotherham Magistrates’ Court heard how an employee of Rotherham Group Realisations Ltd, formerly known as MTL Group Ltd, was asked to turn and polish metal bars with no specific instructions on how this should be completed.

He was holding an emery cloth in his gloved hand around the rotating lathe when his hand came into contact with the lathe, the court heard.

The man, who has not been named, suffered a broken arm, wrist and hand in the incident on September 17, 2014.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the risk assessment for using the lathe was not suitable or sufficient.

There was also no written safe system of work for polishing on the lathe.

Administrators were appointed at the firm in 2015 following losses of more than £3 million.

Rotherham Group Realisations Ltd, which is registered to the administrators address of Bridgewater Place, Leeds, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1)of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,316.