A MAN left crippled in an horrific works accident today spoke about his ordeal and warned: "This is what happens if you ignore safety at work."
Jack Parsons, 45, almost died and revealed he had been left confined to a wheelchair following the accident, which resulted in him suffering a broken back and crushed ribs. The muscles on his right arm were also ripped off as he was dragged into machinery while he worked at Railside Trading Company in Mill Lane, Gisburn, as a labourer on February 4 last year.
Richard Henry Waddington, 35, managing director of Railside Trading Company, was fined £8,000 with £1,239 costs, Stuart Lumber Ltd, of Glasgow, which acted as agent in the purchase of the machinery, was fined £6,000 with £1,272 costs and Michael John Anderson, 63, a partner in Quantock Engineering, of Somerset, which manufactured it, was fined £2,000 with £250 costs.
Blackburn magistrates heard they had all failed to ensure Mr Parsons' safety by providing adequate guards.
Today MPs demanded improvements after the Health and Safety Executive revealed workers in the saw mill industry have a one in 20 chance of being injured each year, and a one in 140 chance of being killed or suffering a major injury. The figures are higher than for any other occupation, including mining and quarrying.
But Mr Parsons, of Moor Close Farm, Esp Lane, Barnoldswick, said his case highlighted how all companies, not just sawmills, should give health and safety a top priority.
He said: "Health and safety is just so important. I can only hope no-one will ever have to suffer the way I have done.
"I have spent the last 12 months trying to forget about the accident and just concentrating on getting better.
"Perhaps one day I will be able to drive but even then it will only be with a modified car.
"It has only been made bearable by the people around me. They have been so very supportive.
"I cannot thank them enough."
Tory Nigel Evans, in whose constituency the firm is situated, said: "I shall send a copy of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's report of the case to the appropriate government department and ask for a statement from a minister."
Magistrates imposed penalties which they said reflected the financial means of the three companies, the serious injuries sustained by Mr Parsons and the fact that all three had admitted responsibility and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
But Mr Parsons' constituency MP Gordon Prentice said: "I shall raise the case in Parliament. The HSE and the trade associations need to tackle this problem.
"That a man can suffer such a horrific accident and be confined to a wheel hair while the firm's bosses get fined a few thousand pounds beggars belief. This just makes me so mad."
A spokesman for the HSE said: "Saw milling could be a safer and healthier industry, as this case proves. It is very dangerous and standards need to be improved but this case should be a warning to everyone of the dangers at work if workers' safety is neglected."
Dorothea Shaw, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Parsons had been working on a band saw mill, removing waste wood from a conveyor belt.
She added: "Poor standards of machinery safety are endemic in the sawing industry."
Mike Dobson, for Waddington, said it was not a case of his client cutting corners to save costs and he was not aware further guarding was needed.
John Parr, for Stuart Lumber Ltd, said his client was extremely distressed by the injuries to Mr Parsons. He said the machine had been in daily use for four years before the accident happened, although his client accepted there should have been more guards fitted.
Anne White, for Anderson, said he had not been aware that a man would be working where Mr Parsons was and the conveyor in which Mr Parsons was crushed should not have had any waste wood.
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