Chicken processor fined after worker’s hand de-skinned
The employee from UK firm Crown Chicken Ltd was using a de-skinning machine when his glove became caught and his hand was pulled onto the cutting blade. The skin on the back of his hand, from his knuckles to his wrist, was torn completely away from the underlying tissue in the incident on 24 July 2009, said the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
An investigation by the agency found the machine did not have adequate guards, there was no emergency stop button, and the gloves were not suitably protective.
The firm, which processes 365,000 chickens a week at its site in Norfolk, England, pleaded guilty to four breaches of health and safety law, including a separate incident where a second worker's hand was crushed by a forklift truck while trying to access a trailer.
Thetford Magistrates' Court imposed fines totally ₤8,000 (€9,300) and ordered the company to pay legal costs of ₤5,500.
Safety criticism
The health and safety watchdog was critical of the company, saying both accidents could have been easily avoided if the firm had taken correct measures.
"The company failed to ensure that simple measures were in place to protect employees using the de-skinning machine,” said HSE inspector, Saffron Turnell. “Similarly, the company had no safe method for staff to access the refrigerated trailers.”
She said that employees must ensure health and safety measures were in place and that the agency would not hesitate to take action against employers failing to comply with the law and putting workers at risk.
FoodProductionDaily.com contacted Crown Chicken but the company declined to comment on the incidents, court case and prosecution.
