Brick manufacturer fined after worker injured and loses two toes

A brick manufacturer has been fined after one of its employees was seriously injured.

The incident, on 27 February 2014, occurred at Northcot Brick Limited’s site at Station Road, Blockley, Gloucester.

Stroud Magistrates’ Court heard that a 45-year-old worker sustained serious injuries to his right leg, with the partial loss of two

toes, after either stepping onto or falling onto a recently-installed machine that breaks up clay.

A risk assessment had identified that the machinery required guarding or barriers, but these were not yet put in place.

Northcot Brick Limited was fined £18,500, plus costs of £7,500, after pleading guilty to a breach of Regulation 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Ann Linden said:

“This incident would not have happened if simple precautions such as putting up a barrier or guard had been in place. Safeguards cannot be relaxed because a machine is being commissioned or tested.”