The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning employers about the need to properly maintain machinery and provide adequate training after a Gateshead company was fined £10,500 following an incident that left a worker blind in one eye.

Weldex UK Ltd pleaded guilty to three breaches of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 following an incident on 1 August, 2007, at its premises at Kingsway South, Team Valley, Gateshead.

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HSE Inspector Martin Baillie, who investigated the incident, said: "A worker was carrying out some grinding work when the grinding disc shattered and penetrated the visor he was wearing and hit him in the eye. As a result he has lost the sight in his left eye.

"Employers must prevent or control risks to people's health from equipment they use at work.

"All work equipment must be suitable for use, regularly maintained and inspected and only used by people who have received adequate training."

Gateshead Magistrates fined Weldex UK Ltd £3,500 on each charge and also ordered the firm to pay £2,832 in costs.

(JM)