The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a food processing company in County Durham, after a worker lost two fingers in machinery.

In October 2008, a 22-year-old man from County Durham was working at the Consett site of food company Ravendale Foods Limited.

As he attempted to clear meat away from the opening of a food mixer to feed it onto a conveyor, his left hand touched the rotating paddles of the mixer, and the index and middle fingers of his left hand were amputated.

On Monday (14/12/09) at Consett Magistrates’ Court, Ravendale Foods Limited of the Leadgate Industrial Estate in Lope Hill Road, Consett, County Durham pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £7,500 and ordered to pay costs of £2,865.20.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Cain Mitchell said the injured employee had been working as part of ‘a makeshift overtime team’ and was not doing his usual, full-time job.

‘This incident could have easily been prevented if Ravendale Foods Ltd had identified the risks from using the machine, ensured suitable guarding was in place on the machine –

and that staff were properly trained in how to use it,’ said Mr Mitchell.

‘Although this young man underwent surgery to re-attach one of his two fingers, he

has only recently gone back to work and is still unable to do his normal job.

‘He had not received any training in how to operate the mixer machine,’ Mr Mitchell added.

Ravendale Foods Limited has since fitted an extended guard to prevent access to the paddles of the mixer.

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