Noodle firm fined for ‘life changing’ injuries
Westminster Magistrates Court heard how on December 17 2015 the worker at SCLA Ltd was trying to clear a blockage on one of the noodle production lines, when his index and middle fingers on his right hand were severed by the machine.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that that, while a risk assessment was in place, it was unsuitable.
The HSE also found that the company had failed to ensure that guards were in place to prevent operators from touching the machinery.
Pleaded guilty
SCLA pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. It was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay full costs.
Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Nick Wright said: “The consequences of not guarding dangerous machinery are often catastrophic and life changing.
“This case demonstrates a straightforward, systematic approach to assessing machinery and ensuring that it is adequately guarded can play a significant part in reducing the risk of injury.”
The HSE has brought a number of prosecutions against food and drink industry firms this month for health and safety failings that led to workers being injured.
Crushed in a meat-separating machine
Meat firm Becketts Foods Ltd was ordered to pay nearly £380,000 this week, after a worker’s hand was crushed in a meat-separating machine.
Last week saw poultry processor Moy Park being ordered to pay more than £210,000 after a worker suffered a “deep laceration” to his hand when testing the blades on one of its cutting lines.
Meanwhile, a bakery firm has been ordered to pay more than £70,000 for health and safety failings, after two workers suffered hand injuries while operating machinery.
