Kestrel Timber Frame has been fined £6,700 after a worker suffered a severe and permanent hand injury while using a circular saw.
The Lincolnshire company was also told to pay costs of £4,117 at a Spalding magistrates hearing.
Prosecutor the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said part of the worker’s left thumb was severed at Kestrel’s Market Deeping factory while cutting insulation foam using a table mounted circular saw.
The court heard it had become standard practice by employees to remove the guard as the height adjustment mechanism on the saw was broken.
In addition, the table saw was not big enough to adequately support the foam being cut, therefore it was necessary for him to support the foam with his hands rather than using a push-stick.
“The injured man’s employers failed to provide equipment which would allow the job to be done safely and, as a result, a young employee suffered serious injury in a completely preventable incident,” said the HSE.
