Durham County Council has said that the council’s safety and occupational health team will be investigating an accident at a meat wholesalers in Sedgefield, which resulted in a female employee sustaining serious injuries to her hand.

Local newspaper The Northern Echo reports that the accident happened on Monday (22/03/10) at George Bolam Foods Ltd.

The company has declined to comment but it is reported that a young female member of staff injured her hand while using catering machinery and underwent reconstructive surgery – including skin and vein grafts – in hospital. It is thought she might still lose her thumb.

The Health and Safety Executive said that, given the nature of the business, the incident would be investigated by the local authority’s safety officers.

A spokesman for Durham County Council said:

‘An accident has been reported to the council's safety and occupational health team. As an investigation is underway, it would be inappropriate for the council to comment further.’

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