A window manufacturer based in Droitwich Spa has been prosecuted after a worker had a finger sliced off in its Dudley factory.
M&M Windows pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Section 1(1) of the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 and was fined £10,000 along with £2,500 costs.
Dudley Magistrates Court heard how in May 2009, Jeremy Adams was cutting window frames when his hand was caught by the blade. His left finger was amputated, while his middle finger required surgery and reconstruction to save it.
An investigation revealed that the company was not insured against injuries to its employees.
Jenny Skeldon, Health and Safety Executive inspector, said the fact that the firm did not have insurance in place was a "gross failure of duty to its employees".
In other health and safety news, the importance of public liability insurance was highlighted recently when Rust Proofing Company (Manchester) was fined £1,003 after a worker suffered severe burns to his legs.