A MAN had his finger cut off while working at a Worcester factory, a court has heard.

Stephen Lloyd, aged 22, was operating a horizontal boring machine at Joy Mining Machinery Ltd, Bromyard Road, when the accident occurred on February 8, last year.

And at Worcester Magistrates' Court yesterday, the company pleaded guilty to one charge of breaching health and safety regulations by failing to safeguard the machine.

The court heard that the boring machine, which was used for to shave the surface off metal, was as "tall as two men standing on top of each other" and had an angled head with a cutter edge "the size of a hand".

Andrea Katerinas, prosecuting, said there was a partial splash guard around the machine but it didn't prevent access to it.

Guard

"At the time of the accident there was a metal guard and trip probe device but even when extended, it didn't extend to the machine," said Miss Katerinas of the Health and Safety Executive.

The court was told it was not clear whether Mr Lloyd tripped or slipped near the milling head.

"The point is he could approach that area with no guards to prevent him," said Miss Katarinas.

Simon Staples, defending, said that after the accident the company spent £40,000 erecting an interlocking fence to safeguard staff.

"Joy Mining Ltd take health and safety training very seriously with tailored safety courses," said Mr Staples.

Safety

"Mr Lloyd served his apprenticeship with Joy Mining Ltd and achieved a Higher National Certificate. He received refresher training and safety is given top priority on these courses."

The company was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay £1,014 costs.

Chairman of the bench, Janice Thompson, said: "We've taken into account that Joy Mining Ltd has a very good previous record and that it has been 20 years since there's been a breach of health and safety committed.

"However, the act of fixing the guard after the accident could have been taken prior to the accident."

After the hearing, Kevin Spencer, operations director of Joy Mining Ltd, said: "We are a caring employer and hope we have made the factory a safer place."