Finger amputation shows need for safety compliance
February 15th 16:32 Health and Safety
An employee of a Droitwich Spa-based window manufacturer has lost a finger in a factory accident, highlighting the need to comply with health and safety regulations.
Dudley Magistrates were told how Jeremy Adams, an employee of M&M Windows, had his left index finger amputated by a cutting saw at the firms Dudley factory.
Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it was discovered that M&M Windows had failed to adequately insure its staff after wrongly assuming that it was exempt from liability as the majority of its employees were agency workers.
Jenny Skeldon, an inspector for the HSE, said: "This worker has been severely let down by his employer.
"It was an injury that could have easily been prevented but the company failed to ensure the saw machinery was fully guarded to prevent access to dangerous parts. The company should have recognised the obvious safety defects with the saw and taken action to prevent injury."
The company was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £2,500 in costs after pleading guilty to breaches of the Health and safety at Work etc Act and the Employers' Liability Act.
