Ashton firm fined after worker trapped in a machine

A company in Greater Manchester has been fined £26,000 after one of its workers was seriously injured when he became trapped in a machine.

ADA Machining Services, in Ashton-under-Lyne, admitted contravening health and safety regulations at Minshull Street Crown Court.

The worker, 53, was pulled into a metal shaping machine on 2 January 2008, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said.

He lost a finger, broke 12 ribs, and cracked his breast bone, the HSE said.

The employee, who asked not to be identified, also suffered friction burns to the left side of his body.

The HSE said the company, based at the Kayley Industrial Estate in Richmond Street, failed to install a safety guard on the machine - as required by law - to protect workers from the rotating parts in the machine.

David Norton, the investigating inspector for the HSE, said: "One of ADA's employees suffered devastating injuries and is still unable to return to work, more than two years after he was trapped in the machine.

"It's vital that companies take action to protect employees who are required to operate potentially dangerous machinery. Otherwise workers will continue to be injured in the future."

ADA Machining Services was also ordered to pay £6,220 in costs.