A WORKER had four fingers cut off while unblocking a machine at a Glasgow factory.
The 39-year-old was working on a mixer at multi-national food firm Kerry Ingredients in Hillington when the horror incident unfolded on August 4, 2021.
Used to manufacture dry seasoning blends and mixes, the machine began to develop a blockage and the employee tried to clear it by inserting his right hand into it.
As he did so, he came into contact with the rotating blades which resulted in four of his fingers being severed.
He has since had to re-learn to do everything with his left hand since the traumatic experience.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the machine had no fixed guards preventing access to the blades from the underside.
It also found there were not any interlocked guards which would stop the rotating parts if any component on the underside of the mixer were to be removed.
Kerry Ingredients (UK) Limited of Bradley Road, Bristol pleaded guilty on July 26, 2024, to a contravention of The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1988, Regulations 11(1) and (2) and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Section 33(1)(c).
At a further hearing on August 8, the company was fined £360,000.
HSE has deemed the incident avoidable if only the correct safety measures were in place and has warned that they will take action against any companies that do not uphold the standards required.
Principal inspector Hazel Dobb said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out 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.”
