A major steel firm has been fined after two employees sustained serious hand injuries while working with machinery on two separate occasions.

Tata UK Limited, of Millbank, London, pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

It was fined £1.98 million (£185,000 for the first offence and £1.8 million for the second) with £22,500 in costs.

Northampton Crown Court heard how a 26-year-old worker was trying to clear a blockage on a steel tube manufacturing line on 12 September 2014 when his hand became caught in the machine. He lost two thirds of his left hands, along with his middle and ring fingers.

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In a separate incident, a 52-year-old team leader was receiving refresher training on 19 February 2014 when his left hand became caught in a machine. As a result the employee lost part of his little finger.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the incidents found there was a failure to appropriately guard and manage the risks arising from dangerous parts of these items of machinery.

HSE inspector Mark Austin said: "Guarding of dangerous parts of machinery is a fundamental of ensuring workers safety, HSE will not hesitate to hold those accountable who do not fulfil their legal obligations, especially if that results in someone receiving life changing injuries."

(LM/MH)