A food processing firm in County Durham has been fined £7,500 after a 22-year-old worker had two fingers amputated by a mixer machine.
Ravendale Foods Limited, of Leadgate Industrial Estate, Lope Hill Road, Consett, was yesterday (14 December) fined a total of £7,500 and ordered to pay costs of £2,865.20 at Consett Magistrates' Court. The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
On the morning of 25 October 2008 the worker, from County Durham, was working at the company's premises in Consett. As he attempted to clear away meat from the opening of a mixer onto a conveyor, his left hand came into contact with the rotating paddles. The index and middle fingers of his left hand were amputated.
After the case, HSE Inspector Cain Mitchell said:
"This incident could have easily been prevented if Ravendale Foods Ltd had identified the risks from using the machine, ensured suitable guarding was in place on the machine and that staff were properly trained in how to use it.
"Although this young man underwent surgery to re-attach one of his two fingers, he has only recently gone back to work and is still unable to do his normal job.
"He was working as part of a makeshift overtime team and was not doing his normal full-time job. He had not received any training in how to operate the mixer machine."
The company has since fitted an extended guard which prevents access to the paddles.
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Issued on behalf of the HSE by COI News and PR North East
Regional reporters should call the appropriate Regional News Network press office who act as HSE's Press Office throughout Great Britain.
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