A man suffered multiple broken bones after he was pulled into a large manufacturing machine at a factory.

The worker sustained a number of serious injuries when he was drawn into a paper rewinder at Amberset Limited in Little Chart, near Ashford.

Health and safety officials say the quick-thinking actions of employees prevented the man from potentially being killed.

Now, the company has been fined after admitting breaching regulations that would have protected the staff member.

An investigation from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was sparked after the man broke three bones in his shoulder, bruised his elbow and wrist and damaged his head while using a paper rewinding machine.

He was forced to undergo surgery following the incident on July 19, 2021. Metal plates and pins were fitted into his shoulder and arm.

HSE officers found that the paper rewinder was not suitably guarded – allowing access to dangerous parts of machinery, including the front where the man was drawn between two exposed rollers.

"Their injuries could have been much worse if not fatal"

Further investigation found that this had been the case since August 1998.

At Folkestone Magistrates' Court on September 21, Amberset Limited pleaded guilty to breaching a regulation of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

The company was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £2,197.65.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Peter Bruce said: “Employers should regularly review the safety measures on their plant and equipment to ensure that access to dangerous parts is prevented.

"The guidance on safe operation of paper rewinders is well established as is the law and guidance on guarding dangerous parts of machinery.

“Employees should be prevented from getting into a position where they can come into contact with dangerous parts of machinery.

“It is fortunate that the quick action of the employee’s colleagues in stopping the machine, ensured that they were not pulled further into the machine as their injuries could have been much worse if not fatal.”

Amberset Ltd was contacted for comment but did not respond.