Worker severs fingers while cleaning unguarded machinery

Derby Crown Court heard how on 9th May 2014, the worker on only his fourth day at work for the company, was cleaning wood dust inside a board-edge processing machine when his right hand came into contact with an unguarded saw blade and severed four of his fingers. Three fingers were successfully reattached in hospital, but he lost the little finger below the second knuckle and sensation in another finger.

Richmond Cabinet Company Limited, of Regent House, Hadfield Industrial Estate, Waterside, Hadfield, Glossop, was fined a total of £20,000, and ordered to pay £12,649 in costs after pleading guilty to an offence under Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Speaking after the hearing HSE Inspector Stuart Parry said: "It is deeply disappointing that this company failed to prevent another operative amputating a finger on one of their machines. The HSE prosecuted Richmond Cabinet Company Limited in April 2013 following a similar incident."