Confectionary company fined over worker injury

A Shropshire-based confectionery company has been fined £75,000 after a worker was hit by a one tonne force from a factory machine.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) successfully prosecuted Magna Specialist Confectioners under regulations for a use of work equipment.

On February 22nd 2007, an employee at its factory on Stafford Park Nine in Telford was cleaning up a refrigerant leak inside the safety doors on one of its production line machines.

The HSE noted that, although the powered part of the equipment "moved forcefully to one side" – closing the gap to the static part of the appliance – thankfully the worker’s head was not trapped, which could have led to an instant fatality.

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Investigating inspector for the executive Guy Dale said that companies should be expected to provide a safe environment for staff and often will only require some cost-effective and "simple" measures.

This follows a ruling last week that a Hendon-based bread manufacturer had failed to provide sufficient protection for its employees after one of its workforce had to have finger amputated following an accident.

By Colette Paxton