Timber frame company fined after worker loses three fingers

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A timber frame company has been fined after an employee, David Broadway, 36, had three fingers severed by a panel saw at work. The incident occurred at Pemberton Timber Frame Limited’s site in Ramsgate on the morning of January 4, 2023.

Broadway was tasked with performing a rip cut to reduce the thickness of a length of timber. This required multiple passes through the panel saw, as the timber exceeded the blade’s cutting depth in a single pass.

CCTV footage shows Broadway successfully completing the first cut. However, when attempting the second cut, he struggled to feed the timber through the saw. While receiving the cut end, his right hand came into contact with the saw blade, severing his index, middle, and ring fingers, and injuring his little finger.

Broadway described the profound impact the accident has had on his life: “I used to enjoy weight lifting, cycling, and staying active. Now, I struggle with basic tasks like cooking and showering. It’s incredibly frustrating and stressful not being able to do everyday activities.” He also mentioned the difficulties he faces in caring for his children, including a young son born after the accident.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that Broadway was assigned a task unsuitable for the panel saw he was using. Pemberton Timber Frame Ltd failed to provide sufficient training or instruction on the safe use of the panel saw, which should have included information on the saw’s limitations, guarding, and essential safety features like the riving knife and push stick. At the time of the incident, the saw’s riving knife was absent.

The investigation also found that the company had other machines that could have safely handled the task, but Broadway was unaware of their existence due to his inadequate training.

Pemberton Timber Frame Ltd of Walmer, Kent, pleaded guilty to safety breaches at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court. The company was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,034.

Following the hearing, HSE principal inspector Ross Carter stated: “Those in control of work must establish safe working methods and ensure their workers receive proper information, instruction, and training. Had a suitable safe system of work been in place, Mr. Broadway’s life-changing injuries could have been prevented.”