An engineering company has been fined after a worker's hand was severed by a rotating blade.

Pipework Engineering Services Limited of Emily Street, Highgate, Birmingham pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 17 (2) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment 1998. It has been fined £24,000 with more than £2,087 in costs.

Birmingham Magistrates' Court heard how the 35-year-old worker was operating a foot pedal on 31 March 2016.

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However, his hand came into contact with a rotating blade, severing his hand and wrist which required surgery to reattach.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the company had failed to install the machine correctly and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, meaning that it could be operated from a position that took the operator very close to the saw's moving blade.

HSE Principal Inspector Geoffrey Brown said: "The company failed to ensure the machinery was set up in a safe manner and as a result the worker suffered life changing injuries.

"To prevent future, similar accidents it is essential that duty holders install and set up machines correctly and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions."

(LM)