Vaughan Thomas, 21, from Caerphilly, was working at MIB Manufacturing Ltd’s factory on Rising Sun Industrial Estate, Blaina, when the incident happened on April 26 last year.

MIB produces light steel frames and panels for the building industry.

Abergavenny Magistrates Court heard it was Mr Thomas’ first time working at the Blaina factory and he had been sent there to work on placing and tightening bolts and screwing boards onto steel panels.

But the panels were not ready and Thomas was sent to help another employee who was drilling holes into steel frames.

He was asked to help load and unload the steel and was given gloves to wear.

During the morning the employee carrying out the drilling was called away and Thomas took over. It was during this time that his right glove became entangled in the drill bit, resulting in the loss of the top of his ring finger down to the first knuckle.

An HSE investigation revealed that Thomas had not received any information, instructions or training on using the drill and that it had been unguarded at the time of the incident.

MIB Manufacturing Ltd (now known as Blaina Manufacturing Ltd) of Cardiff pleaded guilty to safety breaches and was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9,947. The company was also ordered to pay £3,000 in compensation to Thomas.