The inspectorate explained the operator suffered multiple bone fractures and severely torn flesh after his hand was caught in the bretby cable handler.

However, in releasing a safety warning on the incident, the inspectorate said the man's injuries could have been far worse as there was only a 15mm gap between the bretby and the tray into which his hand was dragged.

While many cable trays are now fitted with self-cleaners for easier maintenance, these also create pinch points and operators are warned to display extra caution in the wake of the accident.

Operators are reminded to keep workplaces clean and organised to avoid being forced to travel closer to the bretby than necessary and to recognise the bretby as a moving part of machinery and therefore subject to energy isolation procedures.