A company has been given the maximum fine of £20,000 after a worker suffered “horrendous injuries” when his sleeve became trapped in an unguarded cutting tool at a Heckmondwike factory.

The firm’s owner, 600 UK Ltd, was also ordered to pay more than £5,000 prosecution costs after pleading guilty to failing to ensure the health and safety of the 47-year-old worker.

The man suffered a compound fracture to his right arm, lost tissue and suffered muscle and nerve damage when the sleeve of his overalls became entangled in a vertical jig borer he was using at the factory, Dewsbury magistrates heard yesterday.

He tried to stop the machine by using his left hand but the spindle continued to turn because of a fault on the brake and he had to be freed by workmates, the court heard.

The man was left with permanent injuries to his arm.

After the case, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warned factory operators to ensure proper safety measures were in place to protect employees using heavy machinery.

Health and Safety Inspector Geoff Fletcher said: “The company should have known what standard of protection was required.”