Risk, Health and Safety Information

Council fined after worker loses arm in wood chipper

Durham County Council has been prosecuted for safety failings after a grounds-man's arm was severed in a wood chipper machine.

The 25-year-old council worker, from Ferryhill, who does not wish to be named, was cutting back bushes near Atherton Close, Spennymoor when the incident occurred on 4 August 2009.

The court heard, he was feeding the trimmings from the bushes into a mobile power-fed wood chipper when his glove or sleeve became caught pulling his left arm into the machine. Colleagues were able to shut off the power but his arm had been severed at the shoulder.

He was airlifted to The James Cook University Hospital but surgeons could only treat the shoulder wound and were unable to save any part of his arm. He has found life extremely difficult since the incident and continues to suffer both mentally and physically.

Victoria Wise, prosecuting on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), told Darlington Magistrates' Court that an investigation had found that either the injured worker's gloves or his high-visibility vest had become entangled in the trimmings he was feeding into the wood chipper.

This was a well-documented hazard but the risk assessment carried out by Durham County Council had failed to take it into consideration. It also failed to follow published guidance on the control measures required when using wood chippers.

Durham County Council, of County Hall, Durham was fined £13,000 and ordered to pay £8,212.50 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Speaking after the case, HSE Inspector Victoria Wise, commented:

"This was a tragic but avoidable incident that resulted in a young man experiencing a traumatic loss.

"Anyone who has reason to use machines like this should take note of the harm they can cause. It is essential that the machine has the appropriate safeguards and is adequately maintained. Operators should have had the relevant training and be provided with the correct personal protective equipment.

"Specific health and safety guidance on the use of wood chippers was produced in April 2003 which clearly advises the use of non-snag outer clothing and gloves that are close fitting or tucked into the sleeves to stop them being caught on the material as it is fed into the chipper.

"This young man was lucky not to be killed as a result of this incident, which could have easily been avoided had Durham County Council followed this guidance."

Treework, which includes the use of wood chippers, is a high risk industry. Between April 2006 and March 2011 there were 15 fatalities and more than 80 incidents involving major injuries