Suffolk firm fined after worker's arm severed by conveyor

Date:

11 October 2012

Release No:

HSE-E-99

A Suffolk-based animal feed manufacturer has been fined after a worker lost his arm when it became entangled in a conveyor.

Christopher Brennan, 35, from Norwich, was attempting to clear a blockage on a conveyor at the Burston Mill site of BOCM Pauls Ltd, when his right arm became entangled and was severed just below the elbow. Since the incident on 20 September 2011 he has been unable to work.

Norwich Magistrates' Court heard today (11 October) that BOCM Pauls Ltd had failed to provide a safe system of work for production staff to clear blockages on conveyors and there were no guards to prevent access to the unblocking hatch.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the company after its investigation found that blockages happened regularly but there were inadequate methods for clearing them. In addition isolators for the conveyors' power supply were located out of reach with no safe means to access them.

BOCM Pauls Ltd, of 3-5 Alton Business Centre, Valley Lane, Wherstead, Ipswich, Suffolk, was fined a total of £20,000 and £9,716 costs after pleading guilty to a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

After the case, HSE Inspector Steven Gill, said:

"This worker should never have been put in a position where he was able to gain access to the conveyor to clear a blockage while it was possible that the machine could be restarted.

"BOCM Pauls Ltd had not provided a suitable guard and the isolator switch was installed in an out-of-reach position. As a result of these serious safety failings, Mr Brennan has suffered a life-changing injury. Sadly, despite the attempts by the hospital, he lost his right arm below the elbow.

"The incident could have been prevented had there been appropriate guarding in place. This type of injury is not uncommon in the manufacturing industries. Safeguarding measures are well known and have been put in place by the company following the incident."

For information and advice on safety in manufacturing go to www.hse.gov.uk/manufacturing

Notes to editors

1. Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk
2. Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states: It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees, in particular, the provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work that are, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health.

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