The operative was cleaning one of the blending machines when a powered door on the machine closed unexpectedly on her. She suffered severe head injuries and died at the scene.
It is believed the operative had crouched beneath the blender (used to mix up to four tonnes of meat) to inspect a flap from which the load is discharged to ensure that it was clean. This flap closed suddenly with substantial force acting like a pair of 'scissors' cutting off the top of her head above the eye brows.
Mr William Bates (HM principle specialist electrical inspector), who looked at the machine as part of a Health and Safety Executive investigation, said the blender should have been isolated from the mains electricity supply before an inspection was carried out. The inquest heard there was no evidence the operative had received specific training on how to safely clean and inspect the machine or warned of the risks, including the need to isolate it.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching s.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974 which covers the duty of the employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all the employees.
Companies are urged to implement and maintain safe systems of work and to offer full training to staff to ensure that the health and safety of employees is not put at risk.
Commenting on the case on behalf of the HSE Karl Howes said,
“Employers must ensure that they implement safe systems of work for staff using machinery. They must make certain that safety features on machines, such as guards are not overridden. All areas of risk need to be assessed, including cleaning and maintenance tasks, to make sure that tragic incidents like this do not happen.”Need help? Visit our website
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