Company Fined for Health & Safety Breach After Worker Loses Part of Finger

Film & Foil Solutions Ltd, a manufacturer specialising in flexible film for the food-industry sector, has been fined £20,000 after a worker lost part of his right index finger in a machinery accident at the company’s site on Haydock Industrial Estate in St Helens.

The incident occurred on 4 December 2023 when the employee was trying to stop material from becoming tangled in a converting and folding machine. In doing so, his hand came into contact with a rotating shaft that was not adequately guarded. The following day the injured worker underwent surgery, and the outcome included amputation of part of his dominant right hand. His own account stated he was left unable to carry out simple daily tasks such as tying his shoelaces and found writing very difficult.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the machine’s rotating shaft lacked appropriate guarding, and that the risk of entanglement had not been sufficiently controlled. The company admitted to breaching its duties under health and safety legislation and entered a guilty plea. Legal costs were also imposed.

In a public statement, an HSE enforcement lawyer commented: “This company failed to keep employees safe from risks posed by machinery. The training was inadequate and the monitoring insufficient to rectify issues.” The inspectorate emphasised that employers must ensure all machinery is safe to use and properly guarded, with regular inspections of protective devices.

Film & Foil Solutions Ltd noted that it had co-operated with the investigation and was reviewing its safety systems. The company said in mitigation that it recognised the incident’s severity and that it planned to undertake a full review of machine guarding standards and employee training procedures.

The court’s judgement stresses that even routine manufacturing equipment can pose serious hazards if risk assessments are incomplete or protective measures are missing. The case highlights the importance of ongoing machine-safety reviews, especially where rotating shafts or entanglement risks exist.

Although the fine may appear modest compared with some high-profile safety cases, the personal impact on the injured worker and the reputational consequences for the company remain significant. For manufacturers across sectors, the incident serves as a reminder that mechanical hazards persist and require diligent oversight.

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