Fines issued for accident leading to two machinery deaths
September 10, 2008
Two companies are being fined for the deaths of two employees in an accident involving machinery cleaning.
Galloway and MacLeod will pay a total of £18,750 and Barr Electrical Contractors is being fined £45,000 for the accident.
The workers died whilst cleaning an animal feed mixer, despite switching the machine off and activating the emergency stop.
It was started by a computer while they were inside and the machine's paddles consequently inflicted fatal injuries.
Area procurator fiscal for Lanarkshire Janet Cameron describes the accident as one which would have been prevented if proper procedure had been followed.
The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) investigation suggests the power supply had not been isolated and a wiring error led to the machine responding to a computerised command.
Ms Cameron says: "We are absolutely committed to continuing to work closely with colleagues in the HSE… to ensure that a strong message is sent out to those companies who fail to comply with their legal duties."
According to the organisation, the most common accident types in the cleaning industry are due to slips, trips, falls and manual handling.
Galloway and MacLeod will pay a total of £18,750 and Barr Electrical Contractors is being fined £45,000 for the accident.
The workers died whilst cleaning an animal feed mixer, despite switching the machine off and activating the emergency stop.
It was started by a computer while they were inside and the machine's paddles consequently inflicted fatal injuries.
Area procurator fiscal for Lanarkshire Janet Cameron describes the accident as one which would have been prevented if proper procedure had been followed.
The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) investigation suggests the power supply had not been isolated and a wiring error led to the machine responding to a computerised command.
Ms Cameron says: "We are absolutely committed to continuing to work closely with colleagues in the HSE… to ensure that a strong message is sent out to those companies who fail to comply with their legal duties."
According to the organisation, the most common accident types in the cleaning industry are due to slips, trips, falls and manual handling.
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