A clinical waste disposal company has been fined £300,000 after one of its workers severed his arm from the elbow down while unblocking machinery.
The man, 42, had been working a night shift at Tradebe Healthcare National Limited’s site on Elgin Industrial Estate in 2022.
While working alongside a colleague, he attempted to clear an obstruction on an autoclave machine when his left arm was trapped and crushed by the door – severing it from the elbow down.
He was rushed to hospital, where doctors spent six hours working to save his arm. He has since had three major surgeries to restore the use of his hand, though he now suffers from very limited movement.
Part of his treatment has involved skin grafts taken from his left leg as well as veins from his left and right legs transplanted into the arm.
The Health and Executive (HSE) said the man still suffers from ‘constant pain’ and struggles to complete many everyday tasks independently.
Autoclave machines are pressure vessels with lids or doors. They are used in a variety of processes in which products are placed inside and subjected to greater-than-atmospheric pressure and elevated temperatures.
A rotoclave is a type of autoclave that rotates during operation. On this particular site, it was used for high-temperature sterilisation of waste.
The machine was surrounded by an enclosure which included an access gate at its rear. The man had used an unsecured rear gate to walk into the enclosure to reach in and remove the debris.
His colleague was unable to see the employee and, due to miscommunication, mistakenly resumed operation of the machine.
An investigation by the HSE revealed multiple failings by the company, including not having sufficient measures in place to prevent their employees from being at risk when clearing blockages.
The investigation also found that training provided to employees was inadequate and that employees were not suitably supervised.
Tradebe Healthcare National Limited pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work and was fined £300,000 and ordered to pay costs of £18,710.
Commenting on the sentencing, HSE inspector Emma Preston said: “This was a harrowing incident made more tragic by the fact that events of this kind are all-too foreseeable.”
“Accidents which happen when cleaning and maintaining machinery often result in life-changing injuries, which is why companies need to make sure they have robust lock-off procedures, effective guarding, and that all sources of power are fully isolated before work begins.”
“The man affected by this incident faces a long road to recovery, and we hope today’s outcome provides him a measure of justice.”
