Blender operative Bartosz Gaj had been attempting to clear a blockage at the manufacturer’s Fridaythorpe, Driffield site on 3 November 2021 when the accident happened.
His hand was drawn into the conveyor mechanism, severing the 34-year-old’s right arm below the elbow. He had only been working at the company for a few months at the time of the incident.
The conveyor Gaj was working on had only been installed a few months before the incident and was prone to blockages which needed to be cleared by pulling out a manual slide plate, removing the accumulated material and resetting a cut-off switch.
Life changing injury
As a result of his life-changing injury, Gaj was unable to return to work for more than two years. He has had to adapt all aspects of his daily life.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that operatives routinely cleared blockages themselves if they could be done quickly, even though they had not been adequately trained in isolation procedures.
It also found that there had been no review of the risk assessment for operating the conveyor when the new conveyor was installed, and that there was no system for checking that guards and safety features were in place prior to using the conveyor.
Pleaded guilty
AB Agri Ltd of Weston Centre, Grosvenor Street, London pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £566,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,410 at Hull Magistrates’ Court on 5 March 2025.
Speaking after the hearing. HSE inspector Sally Gay said: “The life changing injury Mr Gaj suffered could so easily have been avoided by properly assessing the risks, and applying the correct control measures and safe working practices.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
Meanwhile, earlier this month, two farmers have been fined after a pedestrian was killed by a herd of cows while crossing their field.
