An engineering company has been prosecuted after a worker's fingers had to be partially amputated when they were crushed by a heavy metal frame.

Dantech Engineering Limited of Burrell Way, Thetford, Norfolk, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) (b) of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. It has been fined £20,000 with £884 in costs.

Norwich Magistrates Court heard how an employee working for the company was injured when a metal frame weighing around 250 kilograms fell on top of his fingers as he tried lifting it to manually to carry out welding. As a result of his injuries, two fingers were later partially amputated.

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An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the lifting and turning of these frames was not an isolated occurrence, with a number of frames manufactured in this manner over the three years the company has existed.

No steps had been taken to avoid the manual handling or to assess the manual handling operation, in addition to no steps being taken to reduce the likelihood of injury.

HSE Inspector Anthony Brookes said: "This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards."

(LM/MH)