A machine manufacturing company, Carter Brothers International Limited, has been fined £10,000 after an employee suffered a finger amputation in a lathe incident on April 26, 2024. The employee’s glove was caught in the metalworking lathe while he was using emery cloth, an unsafe practice contrary to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance, which states emery cloth should never be applied directly by hand to rotating work. The company failed to assess risks and ensure a safe system of work, leading to the employee being unable to continue his profession as a turner and subsequently being made redundant. They were also ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge.
This incident highlights the critical importance of rigorous risk assessments and adherence to established safety procedures, particularly when operating dangerous machinery like lathes. The company’s failure to implement basic safety measures resulted in a preventable, life-altering injury for an employee and significant financial penalties, underscoring the severe consequences of neglecting workplace health and safety.