14/01/2015
Pyranha Mouldings became the tenth company to be convicted of corporate manslaughter under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 following the death of employee Alan Catterall .
The kayak manufacturer was found guilty of corporate manslaughter after the worker became trapped and died in an industrial oven. During the five-week trial, the jury heard the deceased had gone inside the oven to scrape up dripped plastic. Whilst inside, another worker turned the oven on without realising he was inside. The oven was design meant the doors automatically shut and locked to when switched on.
No risk assessment
Martin Heywood, the investigating inspector at the Health and Safety Executive, said: "The doors were set to automatically close whenever the electrical supply was switched back on, which meant there was a high risk of someone being trapped inside." "There had been no risk assessments and staff had not received suitable training on how to use the new ovens and there were no written instructions on cleaning and maintenance."
The oven in which the kayaks were moulded was designed by Pyranha Mouldings could reach temperatures of 280C (536 F).
Failing not admitted
Mr Heywood continued: "If Pyranha Mouldings ...had properly considered the risks to employees when they designed, installed and operated the ovens then he [the deceased] would still be here today."
An escape hatch has been fitted to oven since the accident.
Peter Mackereth, 60, technical director of the company and designer of the oven, was convicted of two charges under Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Sentencing is due to take place next month.
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