Employee loses three fingers at factory

The employee had not received any instructions or training on how to safely use the saw

A Heywood engineering firm has been prosecuted after a 21-year-old employee had three fingers cut off by an industrial saw at its factory.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) brought the case against Adelaide Engineering Company Ltd after the worker, from Bury, lost parts of three fingers on his left hand at the plant on Aspinall Street in Heywood.

Trafford Magistrates’ Court was told the blade was 64cm long but was being used to cut a piece of steel with a width of just 5cm. There was no adjustable guard in place around the part of the blade not being used, putting workers at risk.

The HSE investigation found the employee had not received any instructions or training on how to safely use the saw, which rotates the blade at high speed. He had also been left unsupervised at the time on the incident on 21 October 2010.

The company admitted breaching Regulation 3(1)(a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

The charges relate to failing to adequately assess the risks workers faced, and failing to take action to ensure the safety of employees.

Adelaide Engineering Company Ltd, which produces materials for the aerospace, nuclear, oil and gas industries, was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £2,514 in prosecution costs.

Speaking after the hearing, the investigating inspector at HSE, Laura Moran, said: "It’s astonishing that an employee was left to work unsupervised on the saw, despite not having any previous experience or receiving any training on how to use it safely.

"As a result, he has lost parts of three fingers on his left hand and will have to live with the injury for the rest of his life.

"Engineering firms must treat the safety of workers as their top priority. It’s vital they properly assess the risks posed by machines to make sure employees aren’t put in danger."