The accident happened when an employee of Quay Fresh and Frozen Foods Ltd of New Quay, Wales was helping to clean processing machinery in November 2013, Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court heard.
Magistrates were told the machine was switched on during cleaning, leading to the worker’s overalls being caught on the mechanism, which also trapped his hand and arm.
Failed to assess the risks
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed the company had failed to assess the risks of cleaning adequately. It had also failed to put in place a safe system of work and failed to provide safe access to the machine.
HSE inspector Steve Richardson said after the hearing: “Companies must ensure they risk assess the use of their machinery and must ensure that operation, cleaning and maintenance can be carried out safely and without serious risks to the workforce.”
Quay Fresh and Frozen Foods Ltd, Rock Street, New Quay, pleaded guilty to contravening Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and were fined a total of £12,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £2,961.
HSE advice about working with machinery is available here.