Leeds Plastics Firm Fined After Two Workers Lose Fingers in Machinery Incidents

Two workers suffered serious finger injuries in separate machinery incidents at the same Leeds plastics firm within ten days of each other. 

Commercial Lines Limited, trading as HLN Supplies, has been fined £16,000 after two employees were seriously injured while using machinery at its Leeds site. The case involved two separate incidents in August 2024, both of which were investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). 

Two serious incidents in one month 

The first incident happened on 12 August 2024, when an employee was trying to clear a blockage on a sanding machine. Her hand came into contact with a large rotating metal disk after she reached into a ventilation port and she suffered severe damage to the fingers on her right hand, including an injury that led to the removal of what remained of her middle finger. Another finger was also so badly damaged that will require amputation. 

Ten days later, on 22 August 2024, a different worker was injured while using a table saw to cut small strips of plastic when his left hand came into contact with the blade, causing him to lose part of his index finger above the knuckle. He also needed surgery to remove the top of his middle finger several days later. 

Commercial Lines Limited pleaded guilty to charges brought by the HSE following the two incidents. The company was fined £16,000 and ordered to pay £6,534 in costs at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 26 March 2026. 

HSE investigation: dangerous machine parts were accessible 

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the UK government body responsible for regulating workplace health and safety and enforcing health and safety law, found that the company had not put adequate guards on the sanding machinery, leaving dangerous parts easily accessible. 

The HSE also found that table saw training had not been sufficient, and there was no suitable and sufficient risk assessment in place for the work being carried out, or safe work systems for cutting small materials. 

Following the prosecution, HSE Inspector Gavin Carruthers said the two incidents reflected wider health and safety failings and that the injuries would have a lasting impact on both workers. 

Machinery accidents can cause life-changing injuries 

Machinery accidents can happen in a split second, but the impact can last for years and affect the rest of the victim’s life. A serious hand or finger injury can affect someone’s ability to work, manage everyday tasks and live independently, particularly where the injury involves amputation, reduced grip or ongoing pain. 

In cases like this, the effects are often not limited to the immediate injury: the worker may need surgery, time off work and rehabilitation, as well as support adjusting to the practical and emotional impact of what has happened. 

Employer duties around machinery and work equipment 

Employers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to protect employees from injury at work; where machinery is used, this means risks should be properly assessed and controlled. 

Employers should make sure dangerous parts of machinery are properly guarded, equipment is maintained, workers are trained, and safe systems of work are in place. They should also make sure employees are not expected to clear blockages, cut materials or use machinery in ways that expose them to avoidable risk. 

If a task involves moving blades, rotating parts or powered equipment, employers should consider how the work can be carried out safely before anyone is asked to do it. Supervision and monitoring can also be important, particularly where unsafe practices may have become normal within a workplace. 

An accident at work may give rise to a claim where an injury was caused by inadequate guarding, unsafe machinery, poor training, a lack of supervision, unsuitable equipment, missing risk assessments or a failure to follow health and safety guidance. 

Can you claim compensation after a machinery accident at work? 

If you have been injured in a machinery accident at work, you may be able to make an accident at work claim if your employer failed to take reasonable steps to keep you safe. 

A claim may be possible where, for example: 

• Machinery was not properly guarded 
• Dangerous parts were accessible 
• The task had not been properly risk assessed 
• You were not given suitable training 
• There was no safe system of work 
• Equipment was faulty or poorly maintained 
• You were not properly supervised 
• Previous concerns or near misses had been ignored 

Compensation can reflect the injury itself, as well as the wider impact on your work, recovery, income and day-to-day life. 

How long do you have to make a personal injury claim? 

There are time limits for bringing a personal injury claim, so it is important to seek advice as soon as possible. 

In most cases, an adult has three years from the date of the accident to begin a personal injury claim. If the injured person was under 18 at the time of the accident, the usual three-year period generally starts on their 18th birthday. 

Every case depends on its own facts, but if your injury was caused by unsafe working practices or your employer’s failure to protect you, it may be worth getting advice. 

What should you do after a machinery accident at work? 

If you have been injured at work, it is important to seek medical attention and make sure the accident has been recorded. You should also keep copies of any accident book entry, photographs, witness details, medical notes, correspondence with your employer and evidence of lost earnings or expenses. 

If the accident involved machinery, try to keep details of the equipment involved, what task you were carrying out, what training you had received, whether guards were in place, who was supervising the work and whether any concerns had previously been raised. 

Many people worry about making a claim against their employer; however, employers are required to have insurance in place for workplace injury claims. A specialist solicitor can explain your options and help you understand whether you may have a claim. 

Premier Legal Assist can help 

If you have been injured in an accident at work, you don’t have to face the consequences alone. If your case is eligible, with our help, you can seek compensation for the impact the injury has had on your health, work and day-to-day life. 

Premier Legal Assist can connect you with a team of specialist personal injury lawyers who handle accident at work claims on a no-win, no-fee basis. 

To find out if you are eligible to make a no-win, no-fee claim, complete our short form or contact us on WhatsApp and a team member will be in touch.