A timber products company that reclaims tropical hardwood must pay £12,000 after it repeatedly put employees at risk by failing to safely guard and maintain woodwork equipment.

Barkingside Magistrates’ Court was told that employees could have been seriously injured because Ashwell Recycled Timber Products had not fitted a radial arm drilling machine with an effective telescopic guard or trip device.

HSE inspectors found also that the housing on a re-saw blade and self-return function on a crosscut saw had not been maintained. The court was told that the HSE had previously taken enforcement action against Ashwell Recycled Timber Products over similar issues.

Ashwell Recycled Timber Products, of Bulphan, Upminster, pleaded guilty to two breaches of reg 5(1) and one of reg 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. The timber company was fined £12,000 and must pay £2,832 costs.