Company fined after worker loses finger

November 29, 2024

Company fined after worker loses finger

This content has been produced in association with our sister company, Barbour.

A nationwide bakery has been fined more than £360,000 after one of its employees lost a finger in machinery at a site in Northamptonshire.

Jacksons Bakery, a leading supplier of bread used in the commercial making of sandwiches, was given the fine after an engineer had a finger on his right hand caught in a flour sifting machine.

The then 31-year-old was assisting colleagues as they attempted to maintain the machine by clearing a blockage at the plant in Corby on 2 February 2023. Following removal of a guard, as the engineer assisted with the task, he checked the tension of a drive belt and his hand got pulled around the bottom pully which resulted in the amputation of part of his right middle finger. The engineer was unaware that the machine had been switched back on.

Investigating, the HSE found that Jacksons Bakery Limited failed to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all their employees.
In this instance there was a failure to implement a safe system of work ensuring that machinery was isolated and then locked off during maintenance work when fixed guards would be removed.

The HSE also found that engineers were unclear on when to isolate and ‘lock out tag out’ machines due to an absence of adequate training and instruction – and the fact that it was custom and practice to not robustly isolate and lock off illustrated an absence of adequate supervision and monitoring.

Jacksons Bakery Limited of The Riverside Building, Liverstone Road, Hessle, East Yorkshire, HU13 0DZ, pleaded guilty to contravening a requirement of section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £366,666 and was ordered to pay £5,386 costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Rebecca Gibson said “This unnecessary incident highlights the duty on employers to ensure that there are robust procedures in place relating to maintenance activities.

“If an appropriate ‘lock out tag out’ procedure had been produced and implemented and with suitable training, the serious injury would have been avoided.”

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Samantha Wells and supported by HSE paralegal, Rebecca Withell.

HSE
October 2024

Our Comment

This case illustrates the need to conduct comprehensive risk assessments which link to robust safe systems of work which cover all work activities including operation, cleaning and maintenance. Had this been completed, this unfortunate injury would not have resulted.

Contact

At William Martin, we bring unparalleled health & safety expertise and powerful technology to the table. Whatever your sector and wherever you are, we give you the support you need to keep compliant, strong, and successful.

This content has been produced in association with our sister company, Barbour.

For all enquiries, please contact us or call our team on 0203 819 8829.

Related Posts

https://wmcompliance.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Barbour-JustIcon-wh.png November 29, 2024

Fire safety bodies hold Grenfell Report roundtable

Fire safety professionals have met to discuss the recommendations of the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report.

https://wmcompliance.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Barbour-JustIcon-wh.png November 29, 2024

Vulnerable Residents Put At Risk Of Contracting Legionnaires Disease

A company has been fined following an outbreak of legionella at its sheltered housing accommodation.

https://wmcompliance.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/WM-Consultancy-JustIcon-wh.png grenfell-towers-fire-safety November 22, 2024

The Role of Technology in Ensuring Building Safety in a Post-Grenfell World

Find out about the role of technology in a post-Grenfell world.

https://wmcompliance.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/WM-Consultancy-JustIcon-wh.png November 15, 2024

The Push For Sustainable Living and Fire Safety

Discover the link between sustainability and fire safety.

https://wmcompliance.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/WM-Consultancy-JustIcon-wh.png climate change October 31, 2024

How Climate Change and Legionella are Intrinsically Linked by Simon Bruce

Discover the link between climate change and legionella.

https://wmcompliance.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/WM-Consultancy-JustIcon-wh.png building compliance October 17, 2024

5 Common Pitfalls in Building Safety Compliance and How to Avoid Them

Find out the 5 common pitfalls in building safety compliance.