The incident took place in November 2020 at the Celloglas site in Leeds.

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) report stated that an employee was attempting to fix a broken laminating machine when his right hand was drawn into the device and crushed between two rollers.

“The incident led to the man’s right hand sustaining soft tissue crush injures as well as nerve damage and contact burns to his right wrist. The injuries to his hand meant the man could not drive for seven months following the incident and also led to him suffering with anxiety and PTSD.”

The resulting HSE investigation found the laminating machine was not adequately guarded and Celloglas had not reviewed existing risk assessments for the machine, which required the production of a safe system of work.

HSE inspector Darian Dundas commented: “A review of existing risk assessments for the machine should have identified that a safe system of work was required to keep operatives safe from harm. Had such a review taken place then this incident could so easily have been avoided.”

The case was heard at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 30 August.

Celloglas, which is headquartered in Reading and also has a site in Leicester, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.

The firm was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay £5,165 in costs.

HSE has advice on managing risk and risk assessment at work.