LEGAL proceedings will not be taken against an Ipswich company after an employee lost the tip of their finger in an industrial accident.Ian Pike, of Severn Close, was involved in an accident at Alstons Furniture, based in Nacton Road, on April 3.

LEGAL proceedings will not be taken against an Ipswich company after an employee lost the tip of their finger in an industrial accident.

Ian Pike, of Severn Close, was involved in an accident at Alstons Furniture, based in Nacton Road, on April 3.

It is understood Mr Pike was using machinery in the factory when the accident happened.

The incident was reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the case was passed on to an investigating officer.

However an HSE spokeswoman today revealed a full investigation will not take place.

The spokeswoman said: “HSE is not investigating this incident as it does not fit HSE's incident selection criteria.

“All we can say is that the incident happened on April 3 and was an industrial accident at a furniture factory.”

The HSE's selection criteria lists that all amputations of digits past the first joint should be investigated.

It is not clear how much of his finger Mr Pike lost although his employers Alstons have described the incident as “minor”.

A spokesman for Alstons said: “We acknowledge that a minor personal injury incident took place in the factory on April 3.

“It has been thoroughly investigated by the appropriate authorities and resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.”

Alstons has not revealed if any compensation was paid to Mr Pike.

Latest figures show that in 2005/06 a total of 328,000 reportable injuries occurred across the UK.

In the same period 212 people were killed at work.

Have you been the victim of a serious injury at work? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk