Scottish skip firm fined £24,000 after worker injured by cutter blades | MRW

Barry Pae, formerly known as Barry Vaughan, was injured while he tried to change the blades of the machine.

The incident happened on 9 April 2021 at the company’s premises in Dunfermline. His injuries included complete amputation of his left index, middle and ring fingers, and an open fracture to his left wrist.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company failed to provide a safe system of work or employee training for changing the cutter blades. 

WM Russell & Sons pleaded guilty at Dunfermline Sheriff Court to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, Section 2(1), and 33(1)(a) and was fined £24,000.

HSE inspector Laura Dempster said: “If a safe system of work had been in place prior to the incident, the life-changing injuries sustained by the employee could have been prevented.”