Company fined after worker loses part of finger

File photo / NZ Herald

A man who had part of his index finger amputated, after an accident with an unguarded machine, will receive $15,000 in reparations.

The Industrial Tube Manufacturing Company in Waikato was also fined $39,375 after the incident in October 2013.

Jonathan Vink was contracted to work as a general machine operator for the company.

His hand was near the moving parts of a machine when he lost concentration and activated the foot lever to run the machine. This crushed his index finger, which later was amputated above the first joint.

The machine had been modified six months before the accident so it could handle longer lengths of steel, however the modifications left unguarded parts of the machine exposed.

At the time of the accident the machine had no guarding in place to protect workers from moving parts when working with long lengths of tubing, as Mr Vink was doing at the time he was injured.

Industrial Tube should have fitted proper guards to the machine, said WorkSafe New Zealand's Chief Investigator, Keith Stewart.

"The company should have done a full hazard assessment following the modification work. That would have identified the risk posed by a lack of proper guards."

Mr Stewart said an emergency stop button should also have been installed.

"Accidents with unguarded or inadequately guarded machines are all too common.

"This conviction and fine is a reminder to all companies to take their obligations seriously and ensure their machines are safe to use," he said.