Baker loses tip of finger in unguarded machine

Newcastle magistrates heard an employee of Minhoco 21 Limited was operating a pie making machine when his right hand was carried around with the motion of the machine. The blocker head came down and removed the tip of his middle finger.

The incident occurred on 17 June 2014 at their business premises at Airport Industrial Park, Kingston Park, Newcastle upon Tyne.

The court heard how the machine was not guarded to the appropriate standard and should have been fitted with a safety frame or false table to prevent access to the blocking and trimming heads.

Minhoco 21 Limited (trading as Geordie Bakers) pleaded guilty of breaching the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, Regulation 11(1) at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court and were fined £2,000 with costs of £1,086, and a victim surcharge of £120.

Fiona McGarry the HSE Inspector said "The guarding standards on these machines are well established, the use of a safety frame or false table to prevent access to the blocking and trimming heads is essential. Not only did the injured person sustain a partial amputation of the fingertip but it could have been a much more serious injury, including amputation of multiple fingers.”