A MANUFACTURING firm was fined thousands of pounds after a worker was injured in an “easily preventable” accident.

Plastipack employee Jason Bell got his hand caught between two power driven rollers of an extruder machine at a site in Sussex.

He was performing a “manual intervention” on the machine, but the company, which makes swimming pool covers, had not made sure the “nip point” between the rollers of the machine was adequately guarded to prevent the injury.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation and found that the company had, between July 1 2012 and February 21 2018, failed to ensure the “nip point” between the rollers of the machine was adequately guarded to prevent access.

The worker suffered a “de-gloving injury” when his hand was caught, the HSE said.

HSE prosecuted Plastipack, of Wainwright House, St Leonards, at Brighton Magistrates’ Court.

The company, pictured, admitted failing to prevent access to “dangerous parts of machinery” in breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Plastipack was ordered to pay a £30,000 fine, with £5,842 costs for the prosecution and a £170 surcharge.

HSE inspector Susie Beckett said; “This injury was easily preventable and the risk should have been identified.

“Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery.’’