The incident occurred on 15 June 2020 at Loadhog’s site in Sheffield.
The firm supplies reusable containers, pallet lids, and other systems used in the post and parcels, ecommerce and intralogistics industries.
The agency worker who was using the saw was injured when his fingers came into contact with a rotating saw blade.
Three fingers were partially severed although they were later reattached in hospital.
The HSE investigation into the incident found that Loadhog had failed to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, resulting in a failure to provide a suitable guard, allowing access to the exposed parts of the saw blade.
At a hearing held at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 25 April, Loadhog Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
The company was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay £3,139.75 in costs.
HSE inspector Laura Hunter commented: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply implementing the correct control measures and safe working practices.
“HSE has clear guidance on the provision and use of work equipment that can help in preventing incidents like this from happening.”
A Loadhog spokesperson told Printweek that as an employee-owned business it “takes the welfare of its employees very seriously and apologises for this accident”.
“Loadhog holds the welfare of its employees in the highest regard. It regrets the incident and sympathises with the injured party for any lasting affects following the accident.
“Loadhog made a clear error in its judgement in this particular case. The court stated that the likelihood of such an incident occurring was low, this was based on the length of time the operation in question had been in use with no other incidents over a span of 15 years.
“This along with a good Health and Safety record over the 20 years the business has been operating the court deemed the minimum fine would reflect the nature of the case.”
The HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyers Jon Mack and Kate Harney and supported by paralegal officer Rebecca Forman.
