Man's fingertip sliced off at Stoke factory

An air conditioning manufacturer has been fined after a man's fingertip was cut off by a circular saw at the company's factory in Stoke-on-Trent.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Eaton Williams Group Ltd - which trades under the name of Colman Moducel - following the incident at its premises at Oldfields Business Park, Birrell Street, Fenton.

Fenton Magistrates' Court heard how the 41-year-old employee, who has asked not to be named, was using the saw to trim metal parts for a louvred screen when he touched the blade, which cut off the tip of his right middle finger, on 16 February 2011. Although doctors managed to repair his finger and he has returned to work, he has been scarred.

HSE's investigation into the incident found that the system of work used to operate the saw was unsafe, the top guard was incorrectly positioned and basic protection devices such as jigs and push sticks were not being used.

Workers also had not received proper information, instructions, training or supervision in operating the saw, the court heard.

The investigation also revealed problems with the machine - an emergency stop control button on the machine did not work and ineffective braking meant the blade continued to spin after it should have stopped.

Eaton Williams Group Ltd, which has its registered office in Fircroft Way, Edenbridge, Kent, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £4,105 costs.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector David Kivlin said:

"This incident would never have happened if Eaton Williams Group Ltd had taken the time to look at the risks involved in operating the circular saw.

"Although the company had completed a risk assessment, it did not cover all the operations being carried out by its employees. A simple assessment of these additional tasks would have identified the need to provide protection devices in addition to the top guard.

"Companies must also make sure that all safety features, especially emergency stops, work properly on these potentially dangerous machines.

"HSE provides free guidance on the operation of circular saws, which specifically covers the issues of guarding and additional protection devices, and explains the need to provide suitable training, instruction and supervision."

HSE information sheets on safe working practices when using circular saws are available on www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/wis16.pdf and www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/wis38.pdf free of charge.