Safety Signs News

Crantock Bakery fined after safety failings

3rd July 2012 | Health and Safety Signs

Posted by Jason Nicholls

A bakery firm has been fined £14,000 after unsafe working conditions led to a night shift worker becoming trapped in an unguarded machine.

Co-workers were forced to rush to the aid of employee and release her from the moving conveyor of the machine.

Bodmin Magistrates' Court was told that a fixed guard should have been in place on the machine, which had been missing for a significant period of time.

The worker had also not received training on how to clean the conveyor safely, nor had she seen the machine's cleaning instructions.

HSE found that Crantock Bakery's training systems, staff training records and cleaning instructions were inadequate, inconsistent and confusing.

Speaking after the investigation, HSE inspector David Cory, said that employers can reduce the risks of similar accident by fitting guards to dangerous machines as well as ensuring safe working procedures.

"Good training for all staff is vital and should ensure tasks can be done safely. Crantock Bakery fell short of what their health and safety responsibilities required," he added.

Companies need to ensure that they abide by health and safety rules to protect their staff and improve their image. ADNFCR-2754-ID-801398999-ADNFCR