Aerospace firm fined £800k after worker dragged by machine

Merthyr Magistrates’ Court heard how the CAV Aerospace Limited employee fell into the path of an advancing work platform at the company’s Llantrisant, Pontycun factory. The worker’s right leg was trapped and he was dragged along the metal floor for the length of the machine’s cycle. Mr Paul Dignam, 40 from Pontypridd suffered significant leg injuries including two broken ankles and other flesh and muscle injuries that required vein and skin grafts to both legs.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred on the 5 January 2016, found that the company had failed to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery, namely the milling machine where Mr Dignam was working.

CAV Aerospace Limited of Consett, Durham pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. The company has been fined £800,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,119.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Wayne Williams said: “This injury could have been easily prevented and the risk should have been identified.

“Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery.”