Saw that was not fully guarded cut workers finger off - 23rd February 2010

A window manufacturer has been fined £10,000 after a workplace accident at its factory in Dudley, in which a man had his finger sliced off.

The accident in May last year occurred when Jeremy Adams, an employee of M & M Windows, was cutting window frames with a saw when his hand was caught with the blade. His left index finger was cut off and his middle finger badly damaged. He has been unable to work since his accident at work.

M & M Windows pleaded guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 in front of Dudley Magistrates.

The company was not insured for injuries at work suffered by its employees as it thought it was exempt because it mainly employed agency staff.

HSE inspector Jenny Skeldon 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.”

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