Teen lost fingers and thumb cleaning saw at Brownhills factory
A teenage worker lost three fingers and a thumb after being told to clean a saw while it was operating at a Brownhills factory, a court heard.
Louis Parkes glove got caught in a cutting machine causing him to suffer the severe hand injuries at JSF Stainless Steel in Chase Road.
The 19 year-old, who was just 17 at the time of the accident, had two fingers sewed back on while a third was used to graft onto the thumb.
The Health and Safety Executive allege Mr Parkes was told to clean the Sabre saw, which has a 21cm blade, despite it being in motion at the time.
It is claimed the order came from company director Richard Lancaster who denies the allegation.
He is on trial accused of being an employer breaching a general duty to an employee relating to the accident in June 2011.
The hearing at Walsall Magistrates Court was yesterday told that Mr Parkes had worked at the firm for nine months and his duties involved cleaning, sweeping the floor and clearing out the bins.
He had been shown how machinery worked but was not put in a position to operate the equipment.
Miss Michelle Heeley, prosecuting, said Lancaster had told Mr Parkes to clean the saw, as loose swarf can build up.
Mr Parkes then "watched in horror" as his hand was badly hurt.
Miss Heeley said: "It was not part of his duties to use the saw. The prosecution case is Mr Lancaster directed Louis Parkes to clean the machine while it was still in motion."
CCTV played to the court and showed Lancaster in the factory area prior to the accident. He denies asking Mr Parkes to do that duty. The hearing had to be adjourned for 10 minutes as Mr Parkes broke down in tears when asked about what happened on the day of the accident.
He said: "I was just following instructions, I didn't expect him to put my safety at risk."
The company pleaded guilty to an employer breaching its general duty to an employee, and will be sentenced at the end of the trial. The hearing continues.
