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Buckinghamshire worker's fingers severed in bubble wrap machine

An international manufacturer has been prosecuted after a worker lost three fingers in a bubble wrap making machine at a Buckinghamshire factory.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Sansetsu (U.K) Limited for beaching health and safety regulations on 18 May 2011.

Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court heard that Daniel Winters, 29, from Leighton Buzzard, was cleaning debris from the machine at the factory in Tilbrook in Milton Keynes, when his right hand became caught on an in-running nip and was trapped between two powered rollers. The machine was running and the plastic material inside was at more than 200 degrees centigrade in temperature. As a result, Mr Winters suffered severe injuries - including losing the majority of three fingers, on his right hand. He has returned to work but in a different capacity due to his injury.

The HSE investigation found there was no guarding in place to prevent access to the dangerous parts of the machine and the company was issued with an Improvement Notice. This has now been complied with.

Sansetsu (U.K) Limited, of Bradbourne Drive, Tilbrook in Milton Keynes, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. The company was fined £7,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,742.

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