A leading Aberdeenshire machinery firm has been fined £10,000 for safety failings which led to an apprentice being stuck on the back by a pressurised hose.
The then 16-year-old from Turriff was working at ACE Winches premises in the town when the incident happened on July 25, 2012.
Banff Sheriff Court heard yesterday that the apprentice went to collect something from his toolbox when a hose whipped up from a testing area and knocked him to the ground.
The teenager was taken to hospital with cuts and bruises and returned to work five days later. He is still an ACE Winches employee.
The court heard there was no safe system in place for the pressure testing of hoses and that Alfred Cheyne Engineering Ltd – trading as ACE Winches – also failed to provide formal training to staff carrying out the testing.
The firm pleaded guilty to breaching section two of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Health and Safety Executive inspector Niall Miller said afterwards: “This incident could have easily been avoided if Alfred Cheyne Engineering Ltd had carried out a risk assessment for the pressure testing of hose assemblies, which would have identified the safety measures required to reduce any risks.
“In this case the young apprentice was lucky to receive only cuts and bruises, his injuries could have been a lot worse.”
Last night a company spokesman said: “The safety and welfare of all ACE Winches’ staff is of paramount importance and we have reinforced stringent procedures to ensure all employees can go about their duties safely.”