Man dies in industrial blender

2 mins

Posted on 13 Oct 2015

A pellet manufacturing company has been fined £200,000 after an employee was killed when he was pulled into an industrial blender.

The deceased was clearing material from the blender at a pellet manufacturer when it unexpectedly started up.

The subsequent Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the guard had been removed from the machine and the machine had not been isolated and locked off from the electricity supply.

The production line was installed on a number of floors and was computer-controlled with control screens on two floors. There was no control screen on the same floor as the blender and there was no line of sight from this control screen to the blender.

There was no written system of work or instructions for isolation and no instruction to lock off isolators. There were no manuals or written instructions for operating plant. There was no proper training for staff. There were no risk assessments for any work on the plant.

The company admitted breaching Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and Regulation 3(1)(a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and was fined £200,000 with costs of £100,000.

Recommendations

Documented instructions on isolation and lock off isolators to be developed

Safe system of work including instructions and risk assessments to be documented for all machinery and equipment

Educate operatives on all plant and equipment through providing instruction, information and training and supervision where required

Review the working methods and ensure there is adequate control of machinery where it is in operation and when it is being maintained

Carry out a review of equipment used and ensure planned preventative maintenance is in place

Doyle Clayton can support your business with providing health and safety advice and support. Please contact Sally Beck for further information.

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