A seal and label producing company has been fined £160,000 after a worker had his hand drawn into a printing press while cleaning a blade.

Fuji Seal Europe, based in Gillingham Business Park, will also pay costs of £12,680.80 after pleading guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to breaching health and safety regulations.

The worker suffered fractures and skin loss on his fingers on his right hand when it was pulled into the “running nip” of the machine he was cleaning.

He required a titanium fixture to support his middle finger.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found no suitable guard was fitted to the machine and the system of work used was flawed and unsafe.

Fuji Seal Europe declined to comment.