Manufacturer fined after worker's hand crushed
March 22nd 16:05 Health and Safety
A Suffolk-based manufacturer has been fined after a worker had his hand crushed in a machine.
Bury St Edmonds magistrates imposed an £8,000 fine on HE & BS Benson, a solenoid manufacturer, after the firm admitted breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
The fine follows an investigation from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which revealed that machinery at the firm's plant did not have all the necessary safety guards fitted.
Peter McCormick had his hand crushed and had to have a finger amputated as a result of the breach.
HSE inspector Glyn Davies said: "This case illustrates the personal consequences suffered by employees when workplace risks are not properly managed.
"A man has suffered a painful and debilitating injury because a relatively simple process of maintaining correct safety guarding was not followed."
In addition to the fine, the company was ordered to pay court costs of £4,356.
