In the incident on 23 November 2016, Paul Carlton lost his little and ring finger on his right hand and also sustained damage to his middle and index fingers, after getting his hand caught in a press at the company's Knowsley site. 

Liverpool Magistrates Court prosecuted Brown for violating health and safety guidelines, after a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the press was not suitably guarded to prevent access to dangerous parts, including the gears that injured Carlton.

Brown pleaded guilty to breaching sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay £5,635 in costs.

It was also found by HSE that Brown had failed to provide workers operating the press with suitable or sufficient training, and guarding was found to be lacking on other machines on the premises.

HSE inspector Helen Jones said: “Mr Carlton’s injuries could have easily been prevented. Employers should make sure they properly identify the risks and put in place effective control measures, such as making sure machinery is adequately guarded, to prevent access to dangerous parts.”

The company declined to comment on the incident.

Brown Brothers’ Knowsley operation supplies and cuts paper and film for the floristry industry, while the wider group – including Brown Brothers Paper, Creative Paper, and Logopack – supplies to the food, retail, educational, and industrial sectors.

The firm is headquartered in Dorking, Surrey, with other premises including a base in Tamworth, Staffordshire.

Earlier this month, two other companies were fined when workers sustained hand injuries using their equipment.