McCain fined £800k for worker injury
18 May 2016
McCain Foods has been fined £800,000 for safety failings after an employee at its facility based in Whittlesey nearly lost his arm.
The 34-year-old engineer was attempting to check the condition of the head roller on a bypass conveyor, Peterborough Crown Court was told.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the worker’s arm became entangled in the machinery while performing this task and was almost severed in the incident that took place in August 2014. The man now has only limited movement in his hand, it said.
An investigation by the HSE into the incident revealed that the conveyor did not have the correct guards fitted.
A risk assessment of the machine by the company failed to recognise the danger, the HSE said.
McCain Foods pleaded guilty to two breaches of health and safety regulations, and was fined £800,000 with additional costs of £12,831.
