HSE urges safe work systems after cleaner dies from serious head injury
October 1st 2009 The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging companies to implement and maintain safe systems of work and to offer full training to staff to ensure that the health and safety of employees is not put at risk.
This follows the sentencing on Friday 25 September 2009 of Delico at Aylesbury Crown Court.
The company was prosecuted after a cleaner was fatally injured while cleaning a blending machine at its meat processing plant in Milton Keynes.Delico, based at Sutton Fields in Hull, was fined £160,000 and ordered to pay costs of £40,452.
The company had pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc.Act 1974 at a hearing in Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court on 10 July 2009.
HSE investigated the incident at Delico’s meat processing plant in Snelshall West,Milton Keynes on 19 May 2007.
Employee, Lynda Trebilcock, was cleaning one of the blending machines when a powered door on the machine closed unexpectedly and Mrs Trebilcock suffered severe head injuries. She died at the scene.
“Employers must ensure that they implement safe systems of work for staff using machinery,” said HSE Inspector Karl Howes.
“They must make certain that safety features on machines, such as guards are not overridden.
“All areas of risk need to be assessed, including cleaning and maintenance tasks, to make sure that tragic incidents like this do not happen.”
Section 2(1) of the Health and safety at work etc.Act 1974 states: “It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.”
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