Animal feed manufacturer fined after employee’s arm severed
Animal feed manufacturer fined after employee’s arm severed.
Employee’s lower arm was severed when it became entangled in a conveyor. The east Yorkshire company has been fined more than half a million pounds as a result.
Bartosz Gaj, a blender operative, had been attempting to clear a blockage at AB Agri Limited’s premises.
Mr Gaj’s hand was drawn into the conveyor mechanism, severing the 34-year-old’s right arm below the elbow. He had only been working at the company for a few months at the time of the incident. As a result of his life-changing injury, Mr Gaj was unable to work for more than two years. He has had to adapt all aspects of his daily life.
Conveyor Prone to Blockages
The conveyor had been installed a few months before the incident and was prone to blockages. Blockages were therefore, cleared by pulling out a manual slide plate, removing the accumulated material and resetting a cut-off switch.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that operatives routinely cleared blockages themselves if they could be done quickly, even though they had not been adequately trained in isolation procedures. There had been no review of the risk assessment for operating the conveyor, when the new conveyor was installed.
The investigation also found that there was no system for checking that guards and safety features were in place prior to using the conveyor.
HSE guidance states that effective measures should be taken to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery. In addition, machinery should be isolated before interventions are carried out. Employees should be adequately trained in isolation procedures. Further guidance is available on the HSE website.
AB Agri Limited of Weston Centre, Grosvenor Street, London pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £566,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,410 at Hull Magistrates’ Court on 5 March 2025.
Risk Assessments help avoid Life Changing Injuries
HSE inspector Sally Gay said: “The life changing injury Mr Gaj suffered could so easily have been avoided by properly assessing the risks, and applying the correct control measures and safe working practices.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
Tip: HSE guidance can be found at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/introduction.htm
Safety Aide can assist your business regarding Health and Safety, including Risk Assessments, please get in touch on 08000 806 801or email: info@safetyaide.com