2 Sisters Food Group fined £1.4 million + costs after a worker was injured while unblocking a machine.

Food processing company, 2 Sisters Food Group, was fined  £1.4 million + costs after a worker was injured while unblocking a machine.

The circumstances were:

• 2 Sisters Food  had failed to identify deficiencies in the guarding on the machine on which the accident occurred.
• The clearing of blockages was usually carried out while the machine was still in operation.
• On 6 September 2012, an employee of 2 Sisters Food Group Limited was attempting to clear a blockage on a conveying system.
• He was struck by a large metal stillage. 
• As a result, his body was crushed at chest height against the end of the unit.
• He sustained multiple injuries including several fractured ribs, fractures to his back and a punctured lung.

The HSE inspector said:
“The employee’s life-threatening injuries could easily have been prevented had the company identified the guarding deficiencies and put in place simple measures to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery. This should serve as a lesson to others in the food processing industry about the importance of effectively guarding their machinery to stop others being similarly injured.”

SSS comment: Note that in addition to the injuries and the fine, this has been hangng over the company for 6½ years.