Hydro Aluminium Extrusion fined after death of worker

The Journal reported that a factory has been fined EUR 100,000 after a worker was crushed to death in machinery.

Mr Jens Hinrichs of Ridsdale near Hexham, Northumberland suffered a crushed skull and multiple injuries in the accident at Hydro Aluminium Extrusion in Birtley of Gateshead recently.

Colleagues desperately tried to stem the blood flow from his injuries with their own clothing until he was rushed to the town's Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. He fell in front of a shuttle described as being similar to a slow moving train used to transport aluminium products.

Recently Recorder Mr Jonathan Aitken presiding at Durham Crown Court fined Hydro Aluminium Extrusion EUR 100,000 after the company admitted a breach of health and safety regulations.

Mr Sam Green prosecuting on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive said that the dead man, a project engineer had worked for the company for 6 years and was well liked and respected. He had earlier spent some time working abroad for Voluntary Services Overseas.

He said that Mr Hinrichs had been working next to the shuttle when it suddenly began to move. For some unknown reason he lost his balance and fell against it. Although the shuttle could only reach speeds of four miles per hour, it had a substantial weight.

Mr Oliver Campbell representing the company said that it had a previously exemplary safety record and was a responsible company. But the court was told that if the gate through which Mr Hinrichs had entered to stand next to the shuttle had swung shut on its own, someone in the factory might have restarted the machine not knowing Mr Hinrichs was in danger.

Mr Campbell said that since the accident, the firm had tightened procedures, although the type of machinery used had earlier been praised by HSE as being an example of good practice.

Judge Aitken said that the fine could in no way be interpreted as compensation for the loss of life and said Mr Hinrichs was a fine man and a son of whom his parents must have been proud.“

(Sourced from www.journallive.co.uk)