Corby crisp manufacturer fined after worker's fingers severed

A Corby company which makes crisps and snacks has been fined after an agency worker lost the tops of three fingers.
Corby, Tayto, Princewood Road
Wednesday 25th January, 2012 ENGNNL00120120125145231Corby, Tayto, Princewood Road
Wednesday 25th January, 2012 ENGNNL00120120125145231
Corby, Tayto, Princewood Road Wednesday 25th January, 2012 ENGNNL00120120125145231

Northampton Crown Court heard yesterday (Wednesday) how an agency worker working at Tayto was clearing a blockage of material from a machine on the production line.

The worker’s hand came into contact with shears and three fingers on his right hand were severed, below the first knuckle.

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An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident, in August 2015, found the guard on the machine was not secured.

The company had not implemented a formal monitoring system on this machine to ensure all guards were in place and secure before the machine was started.

Tayto Group Limited, of Princewood Road, Earlstrees Industrial Estate, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 5 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), and was fined £330,000 and ordered to pay costs of £11,752.23.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Michelle Morrison said: “This man suffered a life-changing injury in what was an entirely preventable incident.

Employers must have adequate and robust systems to ensure that guards used to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery are in place and secure before machinery is put into use.”