Bradford & District | Archive | 2003 | October | 8
From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Wednesday 8th Oct 2003.
A labourer bled to death after he was pulled into a metal cutting machine at his brother-in-law's workshop.
Peter George, of Welwyn Drive, Baildon, died of a haemorrhage at Brad Forge Architectural Ironworks in Guiseley after his left arm was partially ripped off in a machine with a circular saw blade, an inquest heard.
The jury at Leeds Coroner's Court was told yesterday how the 55-year-old father also suffered injuries to his front and left shoulder, causing him to bleed heavily at the workshop owned by brother-in-law Mark Emery.
Mr George, who worked at the steel fabricating workshop on a casual basis, had been working alone after Mr Emery left about 12.30pm on April 3, 2002.
Mr Emery said he had asked his brother-in-law to paint some flower pots outside the workshop while he was out and added: "He was not allowed to use the machine when I was not there. It was a safety issue."
The labourer's body was discovered about half an hour later by plumber Matthew Sedgwick, who had dropped into the workshop to ask about some work.
Mr Sedgwick alerted emergency services and a neighbour, who was a trained first aider, but paramedics declared Mr George dead at the scene.
Evidence suggested Mr George had been using the saw at the time of his death to cut bars.
A Health & Safety Executive (HSE) probe revealed an essential safety feature, the linkage, which operates a safety guard, was not fitted to the machine.
HSE inspector Rom Naplocha said: "If that is not in place, it tends to expose a very large part of the blade and such exposure can then lead to a person's clothing being entangled."
Speaking after the inquest, a HSE spokesman said: "The HSE has already conducted a thorough investigation. It will now take account of the Coroner's verdict before bringing this to a conclusion."
Mr George's two sons Andrew and 29-year-old Craig were in court to hear the jury's verdict of death by misadventure.
Andrew George, 32, of Sheffield, saw his father the day before he died when he took his children, aged 14, eight and five to see him.
Mr George was a popular figure in Baildon, where he had lived all his life and was known to locals as "Big Pete" for his 6ft 6in height. He had been married to Sharon for 12 years.
Craig, of Brighouse, added: "My dad was well thought of. A lot of people knew him. He loved the countryside."
© Newsquest Media Group 2008