Examples of enforcement - RIDDOR

Company prosecuted for non-reported accidents to migrant workers

During a preventative inspection guarding and electrical installation deficiencies were noted and two unreported accidents were discovered. The injured persons (IPs) were migrant workers supplied by a gangmaster. One suffered crush injuries when drawn into a carrot dip wheel while he was cleaning the machine. The second IP suffered an amputation and burn injury to a finger after contacting the heat-sealing mechanism at an inadequately guarded vertical form fill and seal machine.

Following the visit the company then failed to comply with an Improvement Notice issued regarding inspection & testing of the electrical system.

Outcome:

At a court hearing the company pleaded guilty to four charges and was fined as follows:

• Failing to comply with an Improvement Notice: Fined £10,000.
• Failing to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health safety & welfare at work of all their employees: Fined £10,000.
• Failing to conduct their undertaking in such ways to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, that persons not in their employment (i.e. agency workers) might be affected thereby. Fined £10,000.
• Failing to report an injury to an agency worker: Fined £3500.

HSE was also awarded full costs of £7421.60.