A LEADING manufacturing firm has been fined £15,000 after an employee's finger was ripped off while using a dangerous piece of equipment.

Laura Ponsford, from Ulverston, had her middle finger severed in a freak workplace accident at Cumbria Crystal last year. 

Her employer, Greatdale Ltd (trading as Cumbria Crystal) appeared before Preston Crown Court last week and pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11 (1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulation 1998.

Leona Cameron, an inspector for the Health and Safety Executive, said:  “The need to guard dangerous parts of machinery is well known with established industry guidance available, and in this case, the result of that guidance being ignored is a serious injury to a young woman.”

Mrs Ponsford, 21, had been working at the firm for a year before her accident, which took place on the afternoon of February 20 last year. 

The court heard that she was using a power drill to widen the neck of a glass bottle when the gloves she was wearing at the time became entangled in the rotating parts of the machine, leading to the middle finger of her right hand being severed. 

Mrs Ponsford underwent 10 hours of surgery to reattach the finger but was later told the operation had not been successful and had to have her finger surgically amputated to below the second knuckle.

HSE argued that employees handling equipment such as that used at Cumbria Crystal should not be wearing gloves but managing director, Chris Blade, said workers were at more risk if they didn't.

Mr Blade, who took over as managing director a week after the accident, said: "We are told that employees shouldn't wear gloves because of the risk of entanglement. One of the sharpest edges known to mankind is glass and we took that decision that the risk of cutting yourself was far higher than the risk of entanglement because employees shouldn't be near the machine when it's in use.

"The company and staff have huge sympathy for Laura and is extremely sorry for the injury and hurt she and her family endured. 

"Everyone has the right to work in a safe environment and had a suitable guard been in place at the time this accident could have been avoided.

"Immediately after the accident a thorough review of processes and procedures was undertaken involving Health and Safety specialists and improvements made. 

"During her summary of the incident the judge accepted the company had done all it could following the accident to assist Laura. 

"The assistance offered included keeping her on full pay, offering to privately fund any treatment not covered by the NHS and offering to accommodate her return to work in an administrative capacity or in the shop. 

"The Judge accepted that the breach was not deliberate and in no way was linked with trying to save money or increase profitability. She also noted that company had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and cooperated fully with the investigation. 

"The assistance offered including keeping her on full pay, offering to fund any treatment not covered by the NHS and offering to accommodate her in a return to work in an administrative capacity or in the shop."

Mr Blade said that throughout the firm's 40 year history, no other accident had been recorded. 

He said: "We've never ever had an accident in the company in the past. 

"We have a fantastic health and safety record over a 40 year period but this time, unfortunately, there was an accident."

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