Firm fined pounds 2,000 over worker who lost hands

A WALL-COVERING company was fined pounds 2,000 and ordered to pay pounds 3,757 costs yesterday for failing to provide proper training to a guillotine operator who had both hands chopped off in an accident.

Sharon Jackson, 23, who was cutting board for pattern books when the accident happened in February 1992, has now largely recovered the use of her hands after they were sewn back on by surgeons, magistrates at Preston, Lancashire, were told. Forbo Kingfisher Limited, of Lune Mills, Lancaster, pleaded guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Training for those operating the machine was 'totally inadequate,' said Ian Connor, for the prosecution. The pounds 2,000 fine was the maximum that could be imposed because the accident took place before March 1992, when maximum fines were increased to pounds 20,000.