An engineering company has been fined after an employee received serious injuries to his hand while manufacturing aluminum parts.

Thornsett Engineering Limited, of Thornsett Trading Estate, Birch Vale, High Peak, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was fined £16,000 with £2,843 in costs.

Stockport Magistrates' Court heard how Darren Combs, 50, was employed as a fabricator/welder for Thornsett during the incident on 25 March 2015.


He was manufacturing aluminium parts using a three roll bender when the gloves he was wearing caught between two of the rollers.

Mr Combs was eventually able to release his hand from the glove, however he lost the ring finger on his left hand while his middle finger was mangled.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the risk assessment was not suitable and sufficient and did not identify the risk of entanglement from wearing gloves.

In addition, there was inadequate monitoring and review of risk assessments and procedures, and no competent health and safety advice at the company.

(LM/CD)