Personal injury news

Workplace accident costs four fingers and £14k

A Shropshire farmer has been prosecuted after a labourer he employed lost four fingers in a life-changing workplace accident.

The victim, a 26-year-old agency worker, put his right hand into the unguarded workings of firewood processing machine in December last year, in an attempt to free up a jammed log.

As he reached inside, a hydraulic ram designed to advance logs into the splitter was activated. His hand was forced down the splitting chute and through the blade, which severed the thumb and all four fingers.

Emergency services were alerted and the man was airlifted to hospital. Surgeons there saved the thumb, but none of his fingers could be reattached.

He is currently undergoing treatment, and does not know what use, if any, he will have of the hand once healed.

Shrewsbury Magistrates' Court heard that the victim had been at the farm for a fortnight before his work injury, and had no previous experience with firewood processing equipment.

However he was not properly trained or supervised whilst operating the machine, which was running with its safety guards forced open.

"A young man has been left with life-changing injuries," said a spokesman from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which monitors and investigates accident at work cases.

"Firewood processing machines are dangerous if they are not maintained properly and used safely.

"Employers and individuals must make sure that firewood processors are suitably guarded and operators are fully trained and supervised so that they work to an agreed safe system of work."

The farmer pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety and work equipment regulations, thereby increasing the risk of a workplace accident. He was fined £14,000.