Warburtons slapped with £1.9m fine after man trapped in bread machine

The man suffered friction burns and required skin grafts as a result of the incident, Nottingham Crown Court heard yesterday (3 July).

Warburtons pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, and fined £1.9 million. The company was also ordered to pay costs of more than £21,000.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found CCTV footage showing the worker cleaning parts of the line. As he reached into the line he became trapped between two conveyors and part of the machine had to be dismantled to release him, HSE said in a statement.

HSE inspectors also said the machine could have been fitted with localised guarding to prevent access between the conveyors.

Speaking after the case HSE inspector Edward Walker said: “Warburtons failed to guard the machine sufficiently to prevent access to the running conveyors, which in this case could have prevented the injuries.

“Employers should ensure that all equipment used by agency and their own workers alike are sufficiently guarded and take appropriate measures if any deficiencies are found.”