Unite said it was "outraged" at the latest incident, which followed several other serious accidents to have hit the industry in the last six months, including deaths at Tullis Russell and St Ives.

Manufacturer East Lancashire Box Company (ELBC) pleaded guilty to three charges yesterday (4 February) – failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of an employee, failing to make a suitable risk assessment and employing a child in an industrial undertaking.

The Blackburn-based company was fined £12,000 plus costs following an incident that occurred last March.

But Unite has said that it does not feel is heavy enough. Tony Burke, Unite Assistant General Secretary said: "This is a disgraceful situation. The company have broken legislation in employing a 16-year-old in an industrial undertaking - and what's more he appears to have been left unsupervised on dangerous machinery.

"The fine and costs awarded are a nonsense. Companies who ignore health and safety procedures should face much stiffer penalties. Employing a 16-year-old is appalling and those companies or owners of companies who break the law in this way should face a much heavier penalty than a £15,000 fine."

HSE inspector Matthew Lea told the court that the 16-year-old was cleaning a slow-moving roller using a cloth wrapped around his hand. The cloth became entangled in the top roller, dragging his hand into the machine, breaking a finger and causing crush injuries to two of his fingers.

He added that the company had no risk assessments or safe operating procedures for any of their machines and the procedure used to clean the printer roller posed a risk to their employees' safety.

Lea said: "This accident highlights the dangers associated with cleaning and maintaining printing machines. It is vital that companies develop a safe system of work for these operations.

"Companies should also consider the additional responsibilities associated with employing young people, and ensure that they are properly supervised to prevent them attempting tasks which they have not been trained to do - even if they are just trying to make a good impression by keeping busy.

"This accident was avoidable and sadly despite several operations, this young man is still unable to straighten his hand. He has also been unable to follow his chosen career path, which was to join the armed forces."