Warning after man's finger severed at Waterlooville business

AN INCIDENT where a man's finger was amputated in a lathe could have been prevented, a health and safety inspector has said.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Aug 2016, 06:00 BST

David Morgan’s finger was severed in a lathe working at Repro Engineering Limited, of Aysgarth Road, Waterlooville on July 3 last year.

Safety devices called interlocks had been defeated, meaning operators could access the machine while it was working.

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Mr Morgan tried to release part of a jammed work piece when his finger was severed.

HSE Inspector Frank Flannery said: ‘This incident could have been prevented by more active and robust management action. It sends out a message to employers that tampering with safety devices can lead to injury and prosecution.’

The firm admitted breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, and was fined £14,000 at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court.

The firm said only a few machines had their interlocks defeated.