Pirelli fined £512,000 for Carlisle plant safety incidents

Pirelli Tyres Ltd has been fined after two employees had their arms broken by the same machine at the tyre maker’s factory in Dalston Road, Carlisle.

Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 29 November 2013, an employee of Pirelli Tyres Ltd was loading the stripline machine when his left arm was pulled in by a roller. On 31 August 2015, a second employee had his left arm pulled in by the same roller whilst trying to make an adjustment during a production run.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the machine, which was manufactured by Pirelli in 2003, was not properly guarded, despite the first incident.

Pirelli Tyres Ltd of Derby Road, Burton-on-Trent pleaded guilty to two breaches of Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. The company was fined £512,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,820.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Matthew Tinsley said: “Dangerous parts of machinery must be guarded to prevent access. Machines that are built in-house for a company’s own use must meet modern guarding standards, just as if they were going to be placed on the open market.

“This machine should have been appropriately guarded from first use but, failing that, the first incident should have prompted a thorough review of the machine to identify what additional guarding was needed and appropriate action taken.”

In a statement, Pirelli Tyre Ltd. said: “Pirelli Tyres Limited is fully committed to the health and safety of all our employees, customers and visitors. We stress our regret over the occurrence of these past incidents and have complied with all recommendations from the HSE to alleviate such risks from our sites. Further, we have fully co-operated with the HSE throughout its investigation and subsequent proceedings.”