Capital Reinforcing (Ireland) Ltd was fined a total of £12,500 plus £1,000 costs after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing at Laganside Crown Court to three breaches of health and safety legislation.

The case against the company was brought by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI).

The case arose out of an incident that occurred on 29th June 2010 at the company premises in Belfast. The 18 year old had commenced a work placement earlier that month which involved bending lengths of reinforcing bars in a bending machine. During this his hand came into contact with the unguarded rotating parts of the machine and became trapped. As a result of the injuries he received, the young employee had his left index finger partially amputated.

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The subsequent investigation revealed that the company had not identified the hazards or provided appropriate training to the employee. The way the machine was being operated was clearly unsafe and made it likely that an accident would occur.

After the hearing Mr Kyle Carrick, an inspector with HSENI said: "It is vital that companies identify and control hazards within the workplace. This is important at all times and especially, as in this case, where there are young employees who may be at an increased risk due to their lack of knowledge and experience."

(CD/GK)