Whisky bottling plant accident probed by police
A police spokeswoman told FoodManufacture.co.uk: “Around 11.50am police and emergency services attended [an incident] at Chivas Brothers, Kilmalid, after a 27-year-old man was injured by machinery within the factory.
“He was taken by ambulance to the Royal Alexandra Hospital where he was treated for his injuries – and has since been released.”
An investigation into the cause of the accident has been launched by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
‘Enquiries are now being made’
A HSE spokesperson said: “The Health and Safety Executive has been made aware of a recent incident at the Chivas Brothers Ltd Kilmalid Bottling Plant, Dumbarton. Enquiries are now being made.”
Chivas Brothers confirmed that an incident took place at its Kilmalid site and was cooperating with investigations.
“We take the safety of all people working on our sites extremely seriously and would like to thank the emergency services and Chivas Brothers personnel for their swift response,” a spokesman said.
“In the first instance, our thoughts are with the individual involved. A full and thorough investigation into the incident is now under way.”
‘Full and thorough investigation’
Chivas Brothers is a Scotch whisky and premium gin business within Pernod Ricard. It was acquired by Pernod in 2001 from former owner Seagram.
Pernod owns famous alcoholic drinks brands – such as Jameson Irish whiskey and Absolut Vodka.
The incident at the Dumbarton plant came six months after Alcohol Ltd was ordered to pay £295,009 for safety failings, after an employee was engulfed in flames.
A 21-year-old worker – who was not named – sustained 20% burns to his head, neck and hands after a fire at Alcohol Ltd’s warehouse on the site of its distillery in Oldbury, West Midlands.
