A WORKER had four fingers cut off while unblocking a machine at a Glasgow factory.
The 39-year-old was working on a mixer at multi-national food firm Kerry Ingredients in Hillington when the horror incident unfolded on August 4, 2021.
Used to manufacture dry seasoning blends and mixes, the machine began to develop a blockage and the employee tried to clear it by inserting his right hand into it.
As he did so, he came into contact with the rotating blades which resulted in four of his fingers being severed.
READ MORE: Boy, 12, thought to be youngest convicted over far-right English riots
He has since had to re-learn to do everything with his left hand since the traumatic experience.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the machine had no fixed guards preventing access to the blades from the underside.
It also found there were not any interlocked guards which would stop the rotating parts if any component on the underside of the mixer were to be removed.
Kerry Ingredients (UK) Limited of Bradley Road, Bristol pleaded guilty on July 26, 2024, to a contravention of The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1988, Regulations 11(1) and (2) and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Section 33(1)(c).
At a further hearing on August 8, the company was fined £360,000.
HSE has deemed the incident avoidable if only the correct safety measures were in place and has warned that they will take action against any companies that do not uphold the standards required.
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.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel