BASF Construction Chemicals was fined ВЈ12,000 by Trafford Magistrates this week following the accident at its Manchester plant.
The court heard that the company supplies concrete additives for the construction industry. The incident happened on 5 November 2007 when an experienced employee was cleaning the machine, a Winkworth ribbon blender.
The machine is used to mix products and is cleaned to avoid cross contamination when different colours are used. A pressure hose had been used to clean the inside of the machine but it was custom and practice for employees to use rags to dry the inside of the machine after washing.
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The machine operator returned to the machine and noticed a rag hanging down from the discharge chute. As he went to pull the rag clear, his left hand was suddenly dragged into the machine amputating his fingers and thumb.
Health and Safety Executive Inspector Carl Jones said: "This was a completely avoidable incident which ended in serious injuries for an employee, but a more serious incident could well have occurred here. Not only was there no guard on the discharge chute, but there was no safe system of work for cleaning this machine."
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