Company fined £230,000 following workplace machinery accidents
A major food business producing chicken products has been prosecuted for breaching health and safety laws following two accidents which caused serious injuries to workers.
In the first accident at work a worker’s hand was pulled into a machine which he was cleaning. The worker suffered serious injuries including the loss of four fingers, part of his thumb and part of his palm. The accident occurred because a safety guard had been removed from the machine.
In the second accident a worker’s arm was trapped in machinery and he suffered a broken arm. In this case the company had fitted a by-pass device to deliberately over-ride a safety control which would have prevented the accident.
The company, 2 Sisters Food Group, admitted breaching health and safety laws which led to the accidents, The company was fined a total £230,000 plus £24,350 in costs.
An employer’s duty to safeguard against workplace machinery accidents
Machinery accidents are common in the workplace and in many cases the injuries sustained are serious. Laws and safety regulations exist to protect employees working with machinery. Employers have various duties to safeguard the safety of employees when operating machinery at work including requirements to ensure that machinery is safe and suitable, employees are properly trained to use the equipment safely, and to ensure that machinery and work equipment is fitted with suitable safety features – for example emergency stop controls, isolation switches, safety guards, warning signs etc. This case highlights the fact that serious accidents can occur when the rules are broken.
Expert advice following an accident at work involving machinery
If you have been injured in a machinery accident at work or you have suffered a workplace injury you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. Beckett & Co Solicitors offer free advice to accident victims by phone or a free meeting. Free home visits are available in Lancashire and clients keep 100% of any compensation received.
Added 1.11.11