Armagh-based vegetable supplier UMI Foods Ltd has been fined a total of £10,000 after a worker’s right hand came into contact with the rotating blades of a mushroom dicing machine.
The woman suffered serious injuries, including the partial amputation of her index, middle and ring fingers.
The incident occurred on 21 February 2023 at the company’s premises in Edenaveys Industrial Estate, Armagh.
A subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) found that the employee had gained access to the rotating blades while the machine was in operation.
Inspectors who examined the machine the following day discovered that a bolt securing the front chute guard was missing.
The investigation also found that the worker had started employment with the company less than one month before the incident and had not received a formal health and safety induction.
HSENI served a Prohibition Notice preventing further use of the machine until measures were implemented to prevent access to its blades.
An Improvement Notice was also served in relation to employee training. The company subsequently took steps to comply with both notices.
At Newry Magistrates’ Court on 2 November 2026, the company pleaded guilty to two health and safety offences: failing to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of its employees, including preventing access to dangerous parts of machinery; and failing to ensure that all persons using work equipment had received adequate health and safety training.
Speaking after the hearing, HSENI inspector Gavin Myers said: “An employee suffered life-changing injuries to her hand while carrying out her work. Employers must ensure that workers cannot access dangerous moving parts of machinery and that machine guards are properly secured, maintained and regularly checked.
“Employers must also ensure that new employees receive adequate training before they are exposed to workplace risks. They should never assume that a worker will recognise a hazard or know how to avoid it without appropriate instruction and supervision.”
