Unguarded circular saw severs 3 fingers and results in suspended prison sentence

Andrew Gibson, who at the time was trading as Crosby Kitchens, was given a suspended jail sentence for safety breaches after a worker suffered life changing injuries.

The circumstances were:

• On 19 October 2016, an employee was using an Elektra Beckum table saw to cut down some large 2.4m x 2.4m sheets of chipboard.
• The crown guard and riving knife were not fixed to the machine. 
• He was not using an appropriate pushstick or jig which would have kept his hand and fingers away from the moving blade.
• His right hand made contact with the unguarded saw blade and three of his fingers were severed. 
• After the incident he was taken to hospital by Mr Gibson. 
• Two of his fingers were reattached at the hospital but the third finger was never found.
• There was no Employer’s Liability (Compulsory Insurance) policy in place.

Gibson was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and 200 hours of unpaid work. 

He was also ordered to pay £17,000 compensation to the injured employee.

The HSE inspector commented:
“This incident could so easily have been avoided by implementing suitable control measures and safe working practices. Dangerous parts of machinery should be appropriately guarded as required by the legislation, in order to protect employees.”