Timber frame manufacturer Frame UK has been fined £20,000 after a teenage worker severed part of his hand while operating a vertical panel saw.
Truro Magistrates’ Court heard that the 18-year-old had started work at Redruth-based Frame Homes (South West) Ltd just five days before the incident.
He was using the panel saw to cut a piece of board which he was holding steady with his left hand when his hand got dragged into the blade and the top half was cut off.
Surgeons managed to reattach part of his hand but he has regained very little use of it.
Prosecutor the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) told the court that the worker had received very little instruction on how to use the saw safely.
Frame Homes pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations and were also ordered to pay £13,700 costs.
“This was a devastating, life-changing injury which could have been avoided if Frame Homes had provided adequate training,” said HSE inspector Gareth Cottle.
“New workers are particularly vulnerable to workplace incidents and Lewis had every right to expect far more protection than Frame Homes afforded him.”
