Shopfitter fined after worker loses finger

A SOUTHPORT-based shopfitting firm has been sentenced after one of its employees’ fingers was severed in a rotating saw.

Mentha and Halsall Shopfitters Ltd was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the incident at its factory on Linaker Street on April 15, 2010.

Darren Mawdsley was trimming oak planks when a piece of wood caught on the blade of the circular saw, pulling his index finger into the machine. The 37-year-old from Southport was taken to hospital and his finger was amputated at the knuckle the following day.

North Sefton Magistrates’ Court in Southport was told the guard for the saw was resting on a table at the side of the machine when the worker’s finger was severed.
The HSE investigation found the company had carried out a risk assessment for the saw but this had not been passed on to its employees. The injured worker had never been given any training by the company on using the saw, and no warning signs were on the machine.

Mentha and Halsall Shopfitters pleaded guilty to breaching the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. It was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £3,498 in costs.

Speaking after the hearing, the investigating inspector at HSE, Phil Redman, said:
“These kinds of incidents are all too common in the manufacturing industry and sadly result in workers suffering life-long injuries.

“Good health and safety isn’t about filling in forms. It was pointless for the company to carry out a risk assessment if they weren’t going to pass it on to their staff.”