The man, who doesn’t wish to be named, was injured while operating machinery at a Film & Foil Solutions Ltd factory on Haydock Industrial Estate in St Helens on 4 December 2023. Film & Foil Solutions Ltd makes flexible film used in the food industry.
He was using a machine that converts and folds plastic film when he tried to stop the material becoming tangled by using his hand to stop the poorly guarded rotating shaft. However, his right index finger made contact with a rotating part of the machine and became entangled.
Due to the seriousness of the injuries, he underwent surgery the following day and had part of the finger on his dominant right hand amputated.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Film & Foil Solutions Ltd failed to protect its employees, including ensuring the machinery being used to produce it had suitable guarding.
The company was founded to have failed to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, which resulted in a failure to provide suitable guarding arrangements on the machine and an adequate safe system of work. The probe also revealed inconsistencies and inadequacies in the provision of information, instruction and training for those required to use the machine.
Film & Foil Solutions Ltd subsequently pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. The company was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £2,932 in costs at Sefton Magistrates’ Court on 15 May 2025.
Describing the impact of his injuries, the man told HSE: “I was unable to carry out normal daily tasks such as tying my shoelaces. My right hand is my dominant hand and I find it extremely difficult to write with that hand now. I am now self-conscious when I go outside.
“My family have also been affected by the injury as I am unable to do normal things I used to be able to do before. As a result of the injury I feel my job prospects have been affected, both now and in the future.”
Meanwhile, HSE inspector Sam Eves explained that the incident could have easily been avoided had the company taken “simple steps” to guard dangerous parts of machinery and put safe working practices in place.
“Companies and individuals should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards,” Eves added.
