On Monday 2 November 2015, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), prosecuting, told Boston Magistrates’ Court the worker’s fingers were severed when his hand came into contact with the paddles of a mixing machine, while he was cleaning it.
The issue of access to the dangerous parts of the machine had been raised by a supervisor in 2013, but the company had failed to take the necessary action. The injured party had not received training on the machine.
The guarding standard of the mixer fell below what is required by law and gave rise to significant risk.
The standards the company needed to apply were widely available, long published and easily understood.
The food manufacturer was found in breach of Regulation 11 (1) of the Provision of Use of Work Regulations 1998 and Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act. 1974 and was fined £20,000 for each offence and ordered to pay full costs of £1,037.
Implications for clients: - To avoid potential work place accidents and enforcement action, ensure that that the following criteria is met: