Multi-national food factory fined £360,000 after worker's fingers cut off

A multi-national food company based in Scotland has been fined £360,000 after a worker’s fingers were cut off by a machine.

The 39-year-old man was attempting to unblock a mixer that blended dry seasoning blends at a Kerry Ingredients factory in Hillington, Renfrewshire, in August 2021.

The firm produces dry seasonings, blends and dry gravy and curry mixes for the food industry – during the mixing process the machine began to develop a blockage.

The worker tried to clear the blockage by removing a part of the blender and inserting his right hand – where it came into contact with the rotating blades.

Four of his fingers were cut off.

Following the incident, the man has had to re-learn how to do everything with his left hand.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that there were no fixed guards preventing access to the blades from the underside.

It was also established there were not any interlocked guards which would have stopped the rotating parts if any component on the underside of the mixer were to be removed.

Kerry Ingredients plead guilty to a contravention of The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations and the Health and Safety at Work Act.

At a hearing on August 8, the company was fined £360,000.

HSE 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.”