Clearview North February 2014 - Issue 147 | Page 12

INDUSTRYNEWS

PLASTICS
FIRM IN
COURT
AFTER
WORKER
SEVERS
FINGERS
IN SAW
A Birmingham plastics firm has been
fined after an employee had four fingers
severed in a circular saw. The employee
was working at Kalsi Plastics (UK) Ltd
on 10 August 2012 when the incident
happened.
He stopped the machine to clear a
blockage and the saw blade automatically
moved from its operating position to its
maintenance position in the base of the
machine. However, because of its position
in the base of the machine the worker
did not realise it was still rotating. As
he attempted to clear the blockage, his
left hand came into contact the blades,
severing four fingers. He has been unable
to return to work.
Kalsi Plastics UK was prosecuted at
Birmingham Magistrates’ Court after an
investigation by the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE). HSE found the motor
had not been fitted with an injection brake
so the saw continued to rotate for around
five minutes after the stop button was
pushed.
Kalsi Plastics (UK) Ltd, of Tomey Road,
Tyseley, was fined £6,000 and ordered to
pay £2,418 costs after pleading guilty to
breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and
Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
HSE inspector, Pam Folsom, said: “A
number of employees knew that the blade
continued to rotate after the power was cut
but neither Kalsi Plastics UK management
nor its health and safety consultant were
aware of the issue. Employees were not
represented in safety meetings so that
known issues could be highlighted and
control measures implemented. This
incident shows the importance of staff
having a voice in management meetings.”

12

FEB 2014

Good Neighbours
Sealco, one of the largest independent hardware
distributors in the UK has started working with a local
back to work programme to assemble Pyramid Window
Trickle Vents, the smallest 5,000 EA vent on the market.
Sealco previously used a similar charity
in Nottinghamshire to manufacture the
vents until earlier this year the organisation
was closed. Sealco was forced to look for
alternative support to assemble Pyramid
Vents to ensure continuity of supply of this
best-selling vent for customers.
The local back to work programme supports
individuals in mental health to find full-time
work and is located just next door to Sealco’s
premises in Falkirk. Sealco has installed
state-of-the-art machinery to enable the
programme’s team to cut the Pyramid Vents
to size, crimp the mesh and create the fixing
packs.
The slim, aluminium Pyramid ventilator
can be surface mounted on PVCu, timber
and aluminium windows and is compatible

with slot heights from 13 to 16 mm. The vent
is easy to open and control and incorporates
a stainless steel fly mesh. The upward air
deflection also reduces the risk of draughts.

Upgrading
cylinder offer
Repair and maintenance hardware supplier,
UPVC Maintenance Supplies has chosen
to upgrade its current cylinder offer and
introduced the new ‘Break Secure XP’
replacement cylinder from Mul-T-Lock to
its growing product portfolio.
Leeds based, UPVC Maintenance Supplies
offer a comprehensive range of repair
and maintenance hardware components

throughout the UK and has introduced the
‘Break Secure XP’ replacement cylinder after
recognising it as being the first cylinder to
achieve the new BSi Kitemark TS007 3*
accreditation, without the need for a high
security handle.
David Earnshaw, UPVC Maintenance
Supplies managing director commented, “We
have distributed Mul-T-Lock cylinders for
several years now; previously supplying the
‘Garrison’ and ‘Magnum’ cylinders as part
of our cylinder range, so our customers are
familiar and appreciate the quality the Mul-TLock brand offers.”
“Naturally, when Mul-T-Lock introduced the
new ‘Break Secure XP’ replacement cylinder
we wanted to ensure our customers were able
to take advantage of this high-security product
and although the upgrade means we no longer
stock the Garrison and Magnum cylinders, we
feel confident our customer will appreciate the
kudos and the benefits that come from using
the new cylinders.” David concluded.

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