Man loses 4 fingers helping out with saw at Mauchline company

Jul 18 2008

A JOINER had four of his fingers sliced off in a horrific industrial accident.

Gordon Smith’s fingers were cut off by an unguarded saw as he helped a pal cut wood.

The gruesome accident happened at R A Wylie Joiners in Mauchline on April 24 last year.

But despite him being rushed to hospital, surgeons were unable to re-attach Mr Smith’s digits.

The bloody accident happened when he was having a cigarette break outside his workplace, Kay’s of Scotland.

An employee at Wylie’s asked Mr Smith for his help.

He was pushing pieces of wood against the saw, while the Wylie’s employee guided it along the blade.

In a split second, Mr Smith’s life was changed. He drew his hand up to his face and back down again quickly.

But when he put his hand back down, it made contact with the saw – slicing off four of his fingers.

This week, the owner of the company landed in the dock at Ayr Sheriff Court.

Russell Wylie pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that people not in his employment were not exposed to risks to their health and safety and that he permitted people not in his employment to assist his employees.

A defence lawyer for Wylie told the court that the men were, ironically, cutting pieces of wood to make a new table for the saw.

He added that since the accident, steps have been taken to ensure the safety of the workforce.

He said that there is now a clear demarcation between the two businesses, there is no sharing of staff or machinery. In addition to this, safety signage on all the machinery and machines are all inspected on a weekly basis.

Fining him £3000, Sheriff John Montgomery told Wylie: “I take into account you have pleaded guilty and that you’re a first offender. Nevertheless, this failure is a serious failure. You allowed someone on to your property to assist with what was undoubtedly a dangerous machine.”