A tool manufacturer in Burnley has been prosecuted after an employee lost a finger when it became trapped in machinery.

In April 2009, 30-year-old Paul Whittaker from Burnley was using a piece of emery cloth to reduce the size of a metal component on a metalworking lathe at the factory in Belle Vue Mill in Burnley when he lost his finger.

The emery cloth he was using became trapped in the rotating mechanism of the lathe, drawing in his right hand. Mr Whittaker’s protective glove also got caught in the machinery, pulling his hand further into the lathe.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Mr Whittaker had not been sufficiently trained by his employer, CMA Tools (Burnley) Ltd.

The HSE also found that the company had failed to adequately assess the risks of using emery cloths on rotating mechanisms – and had not implemented a safe system of work to control the risks.

On Thursday (06/05/10) at Reedley Magistrates’ Court, CMA Tools (Burnley) Ltd of Westgate in Burnley pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,000.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Imran Siddiqui said that Paul Whittaker had been unable to return to work – and his injury had significantly affected his ability to grip and lift with his right hand.

‘Sadly, injuries like the one he suffered are all too common,’ said Mr Siddiqui. ‘A significant proportion of incidents at lathes are caused by emery cloths being used in an unsafe way.

‘If Mr Whittaker had been warned against using a piece of emery cloth while he worked on the lathe, he would not have lost his finger. Workers should have been instructed to use a suitable tool to handle emery cloth, so that their hands could not become trapped.’

‘This incident is also a reminder that gloves should not be worn when working with rotating parts,’ he said.

Imran Siddiqui added that CMA Tools should have provided a safe system of work – and appropriate training for Mr Whittaker.

‘I hope manufacturers learn lessons from this case, so that no more workers suffer permanent injuries in the future.’

HSE figures show that, last year in the UK, there were 32 deaths and more than 22,400 serious injuries in the manufacturing sector.

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