Bradford Crown Court heard the employee sustained crush injuries in September 2013 while changing a couch roll on a board machine at the company’s Stainland, Halifax plant.
The worker’s middle finger was severed in the machine and he subsequently required amputation of both his index and ring fingers and is now registered as partly disabled.
The business pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £120,000 with £6,354 costs.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the firm’s risk assessment for this type of work was not suitable or sufficient.
While the company had identified the hazard it did not consider the likelihood or severity of the risk or identify the appropriate measures to prevent an uncontrolled fall of the machine’s hinged steel arm.
“The company failed to provide a safe system of work for changing couch rolls on a board machine,” said HSE Inspector Jackie Ferguson.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate action against those that fall below the required standards.”
