High Peak company fined £16k after worker loses finger

Stockport Magistrates’ Court heard how Darren Combs, a 50-year-old fabricator/welder from Manchester, was working for Thornsett Engineering Limited.

In March 2015 he was manufacturing aluminium using a three roll bender when the gloves he was wearing caught between two of the rollers.

Mr Combs lost the ring finger on his left hand and his middle finger was mangled.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found the risk assessment was not suitable and sufficient, did not identify the risk of entanglement from wearing gloves and there was no competent health and safety advice at the company.

Thornsett Engineering Limited, of Thornsett Trading Estate, Birch Vale, pleaded guilty and was fined £16,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,843.