AN ELECTRIC motors manufacturer has been prosecuted after an employee’s finger was severed at its Bournemouth headquarters.

On September 16, 2019, an employee of Parvalux Electric Motors Limited was injured at the Wallisdown Road site when she became entangled in an exposed rotating shaft during the final test of a running motor on the production line.

The incident resulted in the little finger of her right hand being lost.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had not identified the risks to its employees of exposed rotating shafts and had not provided suitable guards or safe systems of working.

At Poole Magistrates Court on September 8, Parvalux pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety Work Act 1974. It was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8,000.

Bournemouth Echo: Poole Magistrates' CourtPoole Magistrates' Court (Image: PA)

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Francesca Arnold said: “The defendant failed to ensure the safety of its employees in the testing of electrical motors.

“This incident could so easily have been prevented by simply putting the correct control measures in place and establishing safe working practices; for example, guarding exposed rotating parts and providing safe working practices.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

Parvalux managing director Doug Sheppard – who was appointed in January – told the Echo: “Following an incident in 2019 in which a member of our team was injured whilst at work, Parvalux has undertaken a full review of safety procedures across the business.

“Employee and visitor safety and wellbeing is our number one priority and we have made significant improvements to our organisational structure in order to meet the challenges associated with rapid business growth.”

Bournemouth Echo: Picture: PixabayPicture: Pixabay (Image: Pixabay)

Since the incident, Parvalux says it has:

  • Appointed a new managing director
  • Recruited a new head of QHSE
  • Recruited a new health and safety officer
  • Re-developed its risk assessment and mitigation process
  • Developed several mandatory health and safety courses for all staff

Mr Sheppard continued: “The Parvalux management team is heavily focused on embedding workplace health and safety into our culture through improved education, training, and communication. The procedures we have put in place will serve to protect every person working on or visiting a Parvalux site.

“The HSE and court noted our excellent safety record and appreciated our transparency and cooperation at every stage in the subsequent investigation.

“We deeply regret that this has happened and accept the courts judgement in this matter.”