16/10/2015
A father of six had his leg partially severed and later died after he fell into a bailing machine’s hopper in the process of clearing a blockage.
The 50 year old was found lying serious injured at the bottom of the bailing machine by co-workers.
Inadequate Health and Safety
HSE told the court that failings at the company’s premises in Batley were systemic. Health and safety management systems fell far short of what was required with management failing to ensure that long standing actions from risk assessments were implemented or that safe working practices for clearing blockages were put in place.
The court heard that blockages occurred every shift at the plant, with employees describing various unsafe methods of clearing blockages in the hopper of the baler. These included standing on the top platform, leaning over the side and prodding the blockage with a stick, climbing over the side of the machine and standing on the conveyor belt at the top of the hopper or jumping on the cardboard blockage within the hopper.
The victim’s employer was fined £80,000 by the Bradford Crown Court and ordered to pay £40,000 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
HSE Statement
At the Crown Court, the investigator of the case, Andrea Jones stated:
“The risks of clearing blockages at baling machines are well known in the manufacturing industries, particularly in waste recycling industries.
“Adequate guarding of dangerous moving parts and the provision of safe systems of work including isolating and locking-off machinery are the basic principles for protecting employees.
“Various unsafe methods of clearing blockages were used by several employees over a long period of time. There was no supervision or monitoring by management. This was an entirely foreseeable accident which resulted in fatal consequences.
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