A food manufacturing firm has been fined £10,000 after a workplace accident with machinery in which a worker lost two fingers.

The accident happened at Swancote Foods in Telford when a cleaner touched a rotating screw which severed the first two fingers on his left hand. At the time he was reaching inside an outlet pipe to remove a piece of raw potato. A subsequent Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that the guard on the machine had not been maintained properly.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 at Telford Magistrates Court and was fined £10,000 as well as being ordered to pay £5,614 in costs. The court heard that the man had returned to work but in a different job and he had reduced grip in his hand which made everyday tasks more difficult.

HSE inspector Lyn Mizen, speaking after the hearing, said: "This case illustrates the consequences of failing to manage and control workplace risks adequately and HSE will not hesitate to hold companies to account for failing in their duties in such a way."

http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2011/coi-wm-43711.htm#?eban=rss-