Food firm fined after workers arm gets trapped in machinery

A food firm has been fined £10,000 after a female employee got her arm trapped in a piece of machinery and suffered serious injuries. The worker from the Wigan factory who asked not to be named required metal plating in her arm after it got trapped in a potato blancing machine.

The Health and safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Bakkavor Foods who package salads and fresh vegetables for failing to ensure that the dangerous parts of the machine were guarded.

The 22 year old employee from Platt Bridge dislocated her elbow and broke three bones in her arm when it became stuck between a conveyor belt and rollers she had to have 8 months off work Trafford Magistrates Court heard.

It was found by the HSE that the machine had been used without any form of guard for 10 Years and was regularly cleaned while the rollers were still spinning.

Helen Mansfield of the HSE said, “A young worker has been left with a lifelong injury that could have been easily prevented had her employers put more thought into their employee’s safety. “Sadly the machine had been operated without a guard for more than ten years, making it almost inevitable that someone would be injured if they came into contact with the dangerous moving parts.

"The company has now installed a simple mesh guard over the rollers, which means they can be cleaned without the risk of workers' arms being dragged in."

Bakkavor Foods was also ordered to pay £2,026 in prosecution costs.

Francis Alexander Personal Injury Manchester is a firm of solicitors specialising in compensation claims, accident claims and conveyancing transactions.