A Leeds-based plastics manufacturer, Commercial Lines Limited, trading as HLN Supplies, has been fined £16,000 after two of its employees suffered severe finger injuries in separate machinery incidents within a ten-day period in August 2024. The company was also ordered to pay £6,534 in costs following a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation that uncovered significant safety failings.
Inadequate safety measures led to severe, avoidable injuries in Leeds.
The prosecution at Leeds Magistrates Court on 26 March 2026 heard that both incidents were caused by unsafe machinery and a failure to implement adequate safety protocols. The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and section 3(1) of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
The first incident occurred on 12 August 2024, involving Angela Morrison, a then 61-year-old grandmother who had dedicated 28 years to the company. Mrs Morrison was attempting to clear a blockage on a sanding machine when her hand came into contact with a large, rapidly rotating metal disk through a ventilation port. This resulted in severe damage to the fingers on her right hand, her dominant hand. Doctors were forced to amputate what remained of her middle finger, and another finger sustained such extensive damage that it will also require amputation in the future.
Mrs Morrison described the profound impact on her daily life, stating that simple tasks like opening an oven or handling change have become significantly more challenging due to her dominant hand being affected. She also expressed sadness about not being able to perform certain activities for her grandchildren, such as styling her granddaughter’s hair. The shock of the incident initially masked the pain, but the long-term physical and emotional consequences have been substantial, leading to her being off work since the accident. Her hope is to eventually return to employment, even if it means transitioning to an office role.
Ten days later, on 22 August 2024, another worker sustained serious injuries in a separate incident. The 57-year-old employee was using a table saw to cut small strips of plastic when his left hand came into contact with the blade. This accident led to the loss of part of his index finger above the knuckle and necessitated surgery to remove the top of his middle finger several days later.
The comprehensive HSE investigation identified critical safety deficiencies at Commercial Lines Limited. Investigators found that the sanding machine involved in Mrs Morrison’s accident lacked adequate guarding, leaving dangerous moving parts easily accessible to operators. This fundamental safety oversight directly contributed to her severe injuries.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that training for the table saw was insufficient, and the company had failed to establish safe systems of work specifically for cutting small materials. This absence of clear procedures and proper instruction left workers vulnerable to serious harm. Compounding these issues, the company also lacked a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for the work being carried out, a fundamental requirement for workplace safety.
HSE Inspector Gavin Carruthers commented on the case, emphasising that the incidents were entirely preventable and highlighted the critical importance of robust safety measures and thorough risk assessments in the workplace. He underscored that companies have a legal and moral obligation to protect their employees from harm, especially when operating dangerous machinery. The inspector further noted that the company’s failures in providing adequate guarding, training, and risk assessment directly led to life-altering injuries for two of its long-serving employees.
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from inadequate health and safety management. The HSE continues to provide detailed guidance on work equipment and machinery, stressing that many accidents, some fatal, occur annually due to improper use or safeguarding of equipment. Employers are urged to review their safety procedures regularly, ensure machinery is properly guarded, and provide comprehensive training to all staff to prevent similar tragedies.
This story was originally published by the Health and Safety Executive.
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