Firm fined after man loses finger
27/08/2010
A paper processing company has been fined after an employee lost a finger when his hand was trapped between two metal rollers.
Formica Ltd was fined £8,000 at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court over the incident in which Gary Burke lost his little finger and part of the other fingers on his right hand.
The 45-year-old, from North Shields, was working on a machine which coats paper with resin and then cuts it into lengths to produce the back of a laminated product on November 20, 2009, when the incident happened.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed that there had been consistent production problems with the machine. Mr Burke was using his right hand to check for any resin deposits on the feed belts, when his glove became caught on a belt and his hand was drawn between the two guide rollers.
Despite several operations, doctors were unable to save Mr Burke's little finger although he hopes that they will be able to reconstruct two of his fingers to restore some function in the long term. The incident has had a substantial impact on his life as he does not have full use of his hand. He has returned to work but he has not been able to do his old job and is now on light duties.
Formica Ltd, of Silver Fox Way, Cobalt Business Park, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. As well as the fine, the company was also ordered to pay £4,741.60 in costs.
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