Company fined after worker entangled in machinery

Company fined after worker entangled in machinery

A shellfish processing company has been fined for safety failings that led to a worker’s hand and arm being entangled in machinery

Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court heard how, in November 2013, an employee of Quay Fresh and Frozen Foods Limited was helping to clean a section of the processing machinery while it was still switched on the Polish worker’s overall was caught on the mechanism.

Quay Fresh and Frozen Foods Limited, of Rock Street, Newquay, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive and pleaded guilty to Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and fined a total of £12,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £2,961.

The company failed to properly assess the risks, failed to put in place a safe system of work and failed to provide a safe access to the machine.

HM Inspector Steve Richardson said “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. They must also ensure that the method of work is clearly communicated to the workforce, by whatever means necessary”.