Landscaping Company fined after Teenager looses finger

Do you have or are you thinking of employing an apprentice??

A landscaping company has admitted to failing to properly train and supervise work on a dangerous machine after a teenage boy on work experience had a finger amputated while working unsupervised on a log splitter.

A fine of £6,000 and costs of £1,017 was passed down after the company owner pleaded guilty to offences under section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.

The incident happened after the apprentice was shown how to work the log splitter and then left alone on site. While operating the log splitter unsupervised he held a log in place and started the machine. The hydraulic blade of the log splitter came down onto the log and severed his finger. The boy being isolated made the situation worse when there was no one to on site to issue first aid to him after suffering this “life changing injury”.

Apprentices must be able to learn new skills in a safe environment. Apprentices of any age are especially vulnerable to health & safety risks as they are working in unfamiliar environments, often with unfamiliar equipment. Risks to apprentices are increased where employers look to misuse the apprenticeship programme for “cheap labour” rather than offer a young person a supportive, high quality training experience. The Health & Safety (Young Persons) Regulations 1997 state employers must protect young persons from any risks to their health & safety which are associated with the young persons lack of experience, lack of awareness of existing risks, or maturity.