James Fussell, who trades as Tecman Speciality Materials, makes specialist adhesive tape for a range of industries including events, packaging, POS and display and printing. It also makes adhesive tape die cut components and has in-house custom adhesive tape roll slitting facilities.

Nuneaton Magistrates’ Court heard how the 16-year-old apprentice was adjusting guides on a laminating head on an Ident 175 rotary die press on 9 September 2014, when the accident happened.

He tripped, put his hands forward and his index finger got caught in the drive gear at the rear of the laminating unit. His finger had to be amputated as a result.

An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident found the press did not have guards in place to prevent access to dangerous parts of the machine.

The company, of Berrington Road, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and was fined £6,000 with £1,754 costs.

HSE inspector Michelle Morrison said the loss of the apprentice’s finger “was an entirely preventable incident”.

Visit www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery for information on the safe working of machinery in the workplace.