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UK – Firm fined after agency worker injured using circular saw

08 October 2015

A Northamptonshire company has been fined for breaching Health and Safety regulation after an agency worker suffered a serious hand injury when he was using a circular saw machine, reports The Northampton Chronicle.

A worker at Midlands Renewable Fuels LLP, based in Kettering, was using a Stenner vertical band saw on 14 August 2014 to cut up a large oak tree.

Northampton Magistrates’ Court heard the agency worker had been working on the saw with another employee and that he had been levering the material being fed to the saw using a crow bar when he slipped and his left hand was drawn into the blade. 

The man had to have plastic surgery on the ring finger of his left hand after suffering a deep cut.

Following the accident, the company has installed a protective wooden box to ensure that operators are not able to stand within close distance to the blade of the saw.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that company had failed to ensure that effective measures were taken to prevent access to the dangerous parts of the saw. 

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Jenna McDade, said: “Had the company taken suitable measures to ensure workers did not come into contact with the rotating blade, this incident would have been easily prevented. Had the saw been properly guarded, the agency worker would not have been injured.”

James Hunter, a partner of Midlands Renewable Fuels LLP, admitted breaching Regulation 11 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1999, and his company was fined £5,000.

He must also pay court costs of £876.50 and victim surcharge of £120.