A CARDBOARD box manufacturer has been fined £3,000 with £2,717 costs after an employee almost lost his arm when it became trapped in a machine.

The 26-year-old from Leigh was trying to retrieve a piece of card to clear a blockage when his right arm was dragged under a roller, causing severe crush injuries.

Leighton Packaging admitted breaching the Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 at their factory at Leigh Commerce Park in Greenfold Way, on October 7 last year. Trafford Magistrates’ Court was told doctors feared the employee could have lost his arm due to the extent of his injuries and he still has difficulty using it.

The Health and Safety Executive found the machine guards were inadequate and that employees regularly removed blockages without power being cut.

Inspector Mike Lisle said: “This incident should have been avoided but instead an employee suffered severe injuries that are likely to affect him for the rest of his life.”