Firm fined after worker's thumb and finger sawn off

Date:

6 January 2011

Release No:

HSE-e-57

A construction and building firm based in Bury St Edmunds was fined today after a worker's finger and thumb were amputated by a moulding machine.

David Head, 24, a bench joiner of Rubens Walk, Sudbury was shaping a piece of timber at the G J Bream & Son Ltd joinery workshop in Chevington, Suffolk on 10 June 2010, when it caught in the cutter and dragged his left hand into the blades.

Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court heard the thumb and index finger on Mr Head's left hand were amputated and the remaining fingers severely cut. Reconstructive plastic surgeons at Addenbrooke's Hospital were able to reattach the thumb and finger, but Mr Head will only be able to regain half their use.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the company was not using the correct work holders, known as 'jigs', to keep workers' hands clear of the cutting machinery.

Inspectors also found the company had not assessed the risks associated with this task properly, nor did they supervise or train staff properly for work with dangerous machinery.

G J Bream & Son Ltd of 30 St Andrews Street South, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, admitted breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £4026.55 in costs.

HSE Inspector, Ivan Brooke, said:

"This was an horrific incident which has left a young man with permanent damage to his left hand.

"Incidents like this are entirely preventable with the right training, supervision and equipment. HSE will always look to take action against employers who break the law by failing to put these measures in place."

Latest statistics for Suffolk show that in 2009-2010 two people were killed and 344 suffered a major injury while at work.

For more information on health and safety in manufacturing go to www.hse.gov.uk/manufacturing

Notes to editors

1. Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at work etc Act 1974 states: "It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all his employees."
2. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk
3. For specific advice on supervision of working with saws and similar equipment see http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg440.htm

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