Tyre business fined £54,000 after worker dragged into machine

An Essex-based tyre refurbishment company has been fined £54,000 after a worker was severely injured after being dragged into a machine.

The incident occurred in August 2021 at D&D Commercial Services Limited's premises in Rainham.

Neal Hetherington, 42, from Woodford Green, was working on a tyre buffing machine when he was caught by his t-shirt, which pulled him into the spinning blades of the machine.

The machine had been freewheeling to a stop at the time, resulting in significant injuries to Hetherington, who required immediate hospital treatment and was unable to work for several months.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that the company had failed to ensure the proper functioning of the machine’s hold-to-run controls and braking system.

The machine’s rotating rasp should have stopped immediately once the controls were released, but instead, it continued to spin for up to five minutes.

The lack of proper safety features led to the accident, which could have been prevented if the machine had been adequately maintained.

D&D Commercial Services was prosecuted under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for failing to ensure the health and safety of its employees.

The company did not enter a plea and was found guilty at Westminster Magistrates Court on September 4. Along with the £54,000 fine, the company was ordered to pay £6,000 in costs.

Following the hearing, HSE Inspector Oscar Dower stated: “This case sends a clear message to industry that HSE will hold companies to account if they fail to protect their workers.

“The company allowed its workers to use a machine that was not adequately braked or guarded, leading to significant and wholly avoidable injuries to one of its employees.”