Tata fined more than £2million after two workers seriously injured at plant

A 26-year-old lost two-thirds of his left hand while trying to clear a blockage on machinery in September 2014, and a 52-year-old lost two-thirds of his little finger when his hand was caught in a lathe at the same plant in February 2015.

The two incidents were investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which found the guarding on the two machines was inadequate.

Tata Steel had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to two counts of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Judge Rupert Mayo ordered the company to pay a fine of £1,985,000 and costs of £22,500, saying the injuries were as the result of "two subsequent and avoidable incidents".

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Mark Austin said: "Guarding of dangerous parts of machinery is a fundamental of ensuring workers' safety.

"HSE will not hesitate to hold those accountable who do not fulfil their legal obligations, especially if that results in someone receiving life-changing injuries."

The case, which concerned Tata's site in Corby, Northamptonshire, was heard at Northampton Crown Court.

The company said it had entered guilty pleas to two breaches of section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc.Act 1974.

These related to breaches related to two incidents on Tata Steel’s Corby site, the first on September 12, 2014, and the second involving another man on February 19, 2015.

A spokesman for the firm said: “The health and safety of our employees and contractors is our most important priority.

"Tata Steel constantly places a great deal of emphasis on creating a strong and ever improving safety culture in the organisation – and in improving our processes and procedures

"We want to ensure everyone working on our sites is safe.”