Work accident leads to employee losing finger

A work accident has led to a shopfitter losing his finger while he operated a rotating saw.

Darren Mawdsley was cutting oak planks at the Mentha and Halsall Shopfitters factory on Linaker Street, Southport, in April last year when his finger was caught in the blade.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that the firm had carried out a risk assessment for the saw but it was not made available to employees.

Furthermore, North Sefton Magistrates' Court was told that the guard for the machine was resting at its side when the incident happened.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 8(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and was fined £3,000 with costs of £3,498.

Phil Redman, investigating officer at the Health and Safety Executive, said: "These kinds of incidents are all too common in the manufacturing industry and sadly result in workers suffering life-long injuries."

Earlier this month, Swancote Foods was prosecuted after a worker lost two fingers in a potato processing machine in an incident during February last year.

Published by Rob Stanworth