Leeds-based Country Style Foods Ltd was fined £9,294 (inc. costs) after a worker suffered serious injuries to his hand when it came into contact with the drive chain of a conveyor.
The circumstances were:
- The guard on a conveyor had been removed some time previously
- There was an accumulation of ice on the floor due to a problem with the freezer doors.
- The ice had not been cleared so the floor was very slippery
- A worker slipped on the icy floor.
- He instinctively put out his right hand to steady himself but as he did so it struck the drive chain of the moving conveyor, taking the tips off two of his fingers down to the first joint, and injuring a third
The HSE Inspector said: “This worker’s injuries should not and need not have happened. This incident was easily preventable had Country Style Foods Ltd ensured safety guards were in place on the machinery. The company should also have taken steps to prevent the accumulation of ice on the freezer floor. Guards and safety systems are there for a reason, and companies have a legal duty of care to ensure they are properly fitted and working effectively at all times. Slips and trips are the biggest cause of major injuries in the food and drink industry with 37% of all major accidents in the industry being as a result of slips.”
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