A construction company has been fined after a worker lost two of fingers from his hand while using a mixer.

Coldmac Limited of Midland Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire pleaded guilty of breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. It was fined £6,000 with over £1,995 in costs.

Nuneaton Magistrates Court heard how Coldmac was appointed as specialist contractors to build a new footway in April 2015.

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A worker was using a screwdriver to scrape asphalt residue off the mixer when the screwdriver slipped, causing the worker to catch on the lip of the mixer. His injuries, which required surgery, included losing his middle and index fingers.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that the guarding on the mixing machine was below the safety standard required in order for people to safely operate the machinery.

HSE inspector Luke Messenger said: "This case highlights the importance of safety checking equipment and machinery, ensuring that they have the appropriate guarding in place to avoid serious injuries like this."

(LM/CD)