Drinks firm ordered to pay £23k for life-threatening injury
The Brothers Drinks Company was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), following an investigation that revealed serious safety lapses.
The 52-year-old worker from Wells, who asked to remain anonymous, was working an evening shift at the firm’s Shepton Mallet site when the incident happened on July 12 2012.
He sustained life-threatening injuries while investigating the cause of a stoppage in the depalletiser machine, which takes empty bottles off a conveyor to be filled.
As the worker inserted his right hand into the machine, it automatically restarted, catching his clothing and pulling his arm into the moving parts.
Artery had been severed
When the worker finally managed to extricate his arm, it was cut severely in several places and an artery had been severed.
Three operations, one of which was described by surgeons as ‘life and limb saving’ were needed after the accident. The worker has since returned to work on other duties but may have to undergo more operations. He still complains of pain, has an heightened risk of blood clots and has received conselling for post-traumatic stress.
The drinks firm had modified access to the depalletiser sometime before the incident, revealed a HSE investigation. But it had failed to install an interlocking device or guard to stop workers accessing the machinery while it was in operation.
Covering for a colleague
The injured worker did not usually operate that machine and was covering for a colleague when the accident happened. But he had received no additional training or information about the machine he was asked to operate.
After the hearing, Fiona Coffey, HSE inspector, said the accident was entirely preventable. “It could have led to the employee’s death and has left him in a great deal of pain,” said Coffey.
“Had the equipment been properly risk assessed by Brothers Drinks Co Ltd after the modifications had been made, the absence of an interlock would have been identified,” she added.
The need for proper guarding, training and the use of safe systems of work were vital for all employers to prevent similar incidents, said the HSE.
Brothers Drinks Company, of Newtown, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It was fined a total of £10,000 and ordered to pay £12,859 in costs.
