Telford factory prosecuted after work accident

A food manufacturing company has appeared at Telford Magistrates Court after an employee suffered a work injury.

Swancote Foods, of March, Cambridgeshire, admitted that it had breached Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

The court fined the firm £10,000 and instructed it to pay costs of £5,614.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Lyn Mizen issued accident advice, saying: "This case illustrates the consequences of failing to manage and control workplace risks adequately and HSE will not hesitate to hold companies to account for failing in their duties in such a way."

The work accident happened on February 15th 2010 when an unnamed employee was removing a food item from an outlet pipe and a rotating screw damaged two of his fingers.

An investigation by the HSE discovered that the machine's guard was not properly maintained.

Only last month The Crimped Paper Works Limited was fined £15,000 after worker David Millband damaged his hand in a machine.

Published by Hannah Carr