THE lives of workers at a Clitheroe timber goods manufacturer were put at risk by a high powered, imported cutting machine which was installed without the correct guards fitted, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that on one occasion a piece of timber came loose from a clamp and was fired across the workshop at J and M Timber Supplies because there was no end guard.

The court was told the suppliers of the machine were being prosecuted and the Italian manufacturers were being brought to book via the European parliament.

Calder Wilkinson Ltd, of Station Road, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to an offence under the Supply of Machinery Safety Regulations and was fined £750 with £488 costs.

Richard Stoddart, of the Health and Safety Executive, said the machine, made by a company called Pade, was supplied to J and M Timber Supplies by Calder Wilkinson.

It had two high speed cutters, which were not properly guarded and had no end guard. "There was the potential for serious injury or even death," said Mr Stoddart. He said the case against the manufacturers had been referred to the European parliament and would be passed to the Italian equivalent of the Health and Safety Executive.

Kevin Wright, sales director for Calder Wilkinson, said they bought the machine believing it met all the latest European safety standards and had paid extra for all the latest guards to be fitted.

Mr Wright said J and M Timber had asked them to supply it without guards because it would cost £1,000 less but they had refused. His company paid Pade £9,000 for the machine and sold it to J and M Timber for £12,500.

Stipendiary magistrate Jonathon Finestein said Calder Wilkinson had bought the machine through a reputable company and had every reason to think it would be all right.

"The original supplier has a lot to answer for," said Mr Finestein. "He was supplying something which was potentially lethal."

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