An engineering firm in Kent has been fined after a worker lost the tip of a finger when his gloved hand got caught in an unguarded drill.

The 62-year-old employee, from Sittingbourne, who does not wish to be named, needed the top joint of his left ring finger amputated after the incident at G & P Machine Shop Ltd in Sheerness on 7 August 2012. He was able to return to work but has since retired.

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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated and prosecuted the firm for failing to make sure protective measures were installed to stop workers accessing dangerous moving machinery parts.

Maidstone Magistrates heard that the employee had been drilling holes in steel plate using a magnetic drill with a rotary broach attachment. He was wearing gloves to protect himself from the hot swarf and cutting fluids.

As he attempted to add lubricant to the tool, his gloved hand became entangled in the unguarded tool.

G & P Machine Shop Ltd., of Argent Road, Queenborough, Sheerness, was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £2,433 in costs after admitting breaching the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

(CD/JP)