Plastics firm A Schulman, based on the Croespenmaen Industrial Estate, has been fined £18,000 after a worker lost three fingers as he cleaned a machine.
The company admitted three health and safety charges at Abertillery Magistrates Court and were also ordered to pay court costs of £3,827.80.
Operator Steffan Craddock lost the tips of his middle, ring and little fingers from his right hand as he cleaned one of the factory’s machines.
The Health and Safety Executive prosecuted after finding that a dangerous moving part had been left unguarded and there were no cleaning and maintenance systems in place for the machine.
HSE inspector Mike Batt said: “There was no clear procedure for cleaning and maintaining the machinery which meant when operators attempted to clean the probe, they were running the risk of serious injury.”
The company has said it deeply regretted the injury and that it is continuing to review its working methods.