Frozen food firm fined £800,000 after worker nearly loses arm at Whittlesey factory

Frozen food manufacturer McCain Foods has been fined £800,000 for safety failings after an employee nearly lost his arm at the Whittlesey factory.

The Scarborough-based company was fined following a hearing at Peterborough Crown Court yesterday (Monday).

The court heard how a 34-year-old employee was attempting to check the condition of the head roller on a bypass conveyor.

While doing this his arm became entangled in the machinery and was almost severed - it was left hanging by tendons and he lost five pints of blood. Although his arm was saved, he now has limited movement in his hand.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident August 21 2014, found that the conveyor did not have the correct guards fitted. A risk assessment of the machine by the company failed to recognise the danger.

McCain Foods (GB) Limited of Havers Hill, Eastfield Scarborough, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined £800,000 with costs of £12,831.51.

For further information on machinery safety visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/