Firm slapped with hefty fine after dad loses finger in factory accident

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A firm has been slapped with a hefty fine after a worker lost a finger in an industrial accident at a factory in Oldham. The dad in his 30s underwent a 10 hour operation to try and save his middle finger but doctors ruled that it needed to be amputated.

His hand became caught in a piece of machinery while he worked for Azura Soft Furnishings UK Ltd (ASF) in the town. The firm was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and have now been fined.

Company director Tariq Majid was also handed a caution by the HSE. Minshull Street Crown Court heard that the worker was one of 19 warehouse staff based at the firm's premises on Highfield Industrial Estate in the town centre.

The firm, which manufactures cushions, pillows and duvets, had bought a new coiling machine to help make duvets smaller to assist with packaging. READ MORE : Mum left scarred for life after her son stabbed her and ex is now behind bars herself A safety feature which would stop the machinery if someone got too close to the 'quickly moving machine parts' had been disabled by another employee, the court heard.