Buckinghamshire tape firm fined after worker lost finger

Buckinghamshire tape firm fined after worker lost finger

An adhesive tape manufacturing company has been fined after a worker lost a finger in an unguarded machine.

High Wycombe magistrates heard the injured person was working for Technibond Limited at their premises on Millboard Road in Bourne End on 19 August 2014 when the incident happened. The worker was cleaning one of the machines whilst it was running. The cloth she was holding was drawn into the in-running nip which also caused her finger to be pulled in to the machine. The damage sustained resulted in her finger needing to be amputated.

The court also heard the machine was not fitted with the Perspex guards supplied by the manufacturer. The defendant was not aware that these guards were available, though instructions on using the guards are contained within the instruction manual.

Technibond Limited pleaded guilty to breaching the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, Regulation 11(1) at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court and were fined £5,000 with costs of £1,766.