Nestlé UK has been fined £180,000 for the failure to implement basic safety measures which led to the death of one of its workers in 2008.
Nazar Hussain, 55, was killed inside a depalletiser at Nestlé's Albion Mill plant after entering the conveyor type machine to remove sweet tins which were causing a blockage.
His colleague came to investigate when the alarm was sounded, but found no one inside after walking around the machine. He restarted the depalletiser, which immediately shuddered, stopped and triggered an alarm. Mr Hussain's crouched body was discovered inside and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found a safety key device used to halt the machine was available but Nestlé had failed to ensure its employees were aware of its purpose and how to use it correctly. In 2002, Nestlé had received written advice about improving guarding on a palletiser, but this advice was not applied to the machine operated by Mr Hussain.
Nestlé UK pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It was fined £180,000 and ordered to pay £41,826.33 in costs.
HSE inspector Jackie Ferguson said, "This was a terrible tragedy that could have been so easily avoided. Nestlé failed to ensure robust systems were in place to control safe entry into the depalletiser and prevent the machine being re-started whilst someone was in the danger zone. A family has been left without a father and a provider due to Nestle's inexcusable negligence. If anything positive is to come out of this terrible incident it is that other firms take note."
She continued, "Companies should be aware the HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall so far below the required standards."
A Nestle spokeswoman said: "Our first priority has always been the health and safety of our employees and we deeply regret this accident happened. We would like to take this opportunity to once again express our sympathy to Mr Hussain's family. We have co-operated fully with the HSE. Following this accident we have also conducted a full and thorough investigation of our health and safety processes. Corrective action and improvements have been instigated to prevent anything similar from happening again."
