A Caerphilly-based engineering firm has been ordered to pay £10,000 by a court after one of its workers lost four fingers and the top of his thumb as he used an unguarded machine.
Encon Engineering (Wales) Ltd, of Bartlett Street Industrial Estate, Caerphilly, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after 25-year-old Cardiff machinist Rhys Davies had his fingers severed.
He was working on a machine used to mill titanium plates when the incident happened.
Mr Davies, 25, of Cardiff, had three fingers reattached by surgeons but his injuries remain severe, and he is continuing to receive treatment.
At Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court, the company pleaded guilty to a charge under the Regulation 11 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and was fined £8,000 with £2,000 costs.
HSE inspector Steve Curry said: “Mr Davies’ injuries were horrific and unnecessary – the incident could have easily been prevented had the machine been properly guarded.
“Employers have a legal duty to ensure that when employees are working with machinery, adequate guarding is provided to prevent workers being injured.
“The use of powerful engineering machinery was a day to day activity of this company, so it is inexcusable that an injury like this has been allowed to happen.”