A CARPET worker at a Kidderminster firm was horrifically injured after she was dragged into machinery and had a metal bracket embedded in her head.

Margaret Griffiths needed surgery to remove the bracket following the accident at Carpets of Kidderminster and has still not fully recovered from her ordeal, magistrates heard.

At Kidderminster last week, the Stourport-based company, of Wilden Lane, admitted three breaches of health and safety regulations including failing to make a proper assessment of risks, failing to ensure an emergency stop trip wire was working on the reeler machine and failing to prevent access to dangerous parts.

Magistrates, who had the power to fine the company a maximum of £5,000 on each count, decided the offences were so serious the case should go to Worcester Crown Court on January 11 for sentencing.

Health and Safety Executive inspector Kay Brookes said Mrs Griffiths, 57, was operating a reeling machine used for unwinding wool from bobbins and re-winding it for re-use.

Part of the machine had been broken for a number of years and Mrs Griffiths was going to the back of the machine to check a timer was working when her cardigan became caught and she was dragged into the machinery.

She was repeatedly hit over the head by parts of the machine and a bracket, about two inches long, was embedded in her skull.

Mrs Griffiths is still having treatment for her injuries and doctors are assessing whether there is any permanent damage.

Mrs Brookes said the firm had previously been convicted of a similar breach of health and safety regulations in 1997 when another employee became entangled in a machine.

Mrs Griffiths was one of a few staff left at the factory which closed shortly after the accident.

Alex Stein, defending, said: "I cannot say they have a good record of safety."

But he said steps had been taken to improve health and safety and a shop floor health and safety committee had been set up.