Company fined after worker loses fingers

An engineering firm in Wales has been fined after a workplace accident in which one of its workers lost four fingers.

Rhys Davies was working on an unguarded machine used to mill titanium plates at Encon Engineering in Caerphilly when he was involved in this accident at work. Three of his fingers were reattached by surgeons but he is still receiving treatment for his injuries.

Encon Engineering pleaded guilty at Caerphilly Magistrates Court to a charge under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and was ordered to pay £10,000. HSE Inspector Steve Curry said: “Mr Davies’ injuries were horrific and unnecessary, the incident could have easily been prevented had the machine been properly guarded. Employers have a legal duty to ensure that when employees are working with machinery, adequate guarding is provided to prevent workers being injured.”

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