The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning employers to ensure that machinery has adequate safety guards and there are safe systems of work in place.

This follows HSE's prosecution of an Enfield timber manufacturer after a machine operator lost parts of two fingers.

Jennor Timber Ltd, of Lockfield Avenue, Enfield was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,921, at the City of London Magistrates Court today, after pleading guilty of breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

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In May 2005, employee Peter Brooks, 64, of Hackney, was working on a piece of wood about five feet long using a heavy duty spindle moulder when, it is believed, the wood was ripped out of his hands, exposing them to the cutters. There were no "end stops" to prevent the wood from ejecting and Mr Brooks had decided not to use a jig, which would have acted as a barrier between his hand and the blade, as the material was considered too long.

Gavin Pugh, HSE Inspector, said: "It is essential that safe systems of work are adhered to and there should be management systems in place to monitor workers at all timber mills. Machine jigs should have been used with limited cutter projection tooling, which should be in place to prevent very severe injuries if any part of the body touches the rotating blade."

Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 states: "It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees."

(GK/JM)