A Dorset factory worker was accidentally crushed to death by a sweet machine while trying to clear a blockage, an inquest has ruled this month. Czech Republic national Martin Pejril was on a night shift at Tangerine Confectionery in Alder Road, Poole, on 20 February 2008 when he became trapped by a machine making jellies and soft sweets.
An accidental death verdict was recorded at Bournemouth, Poole and East Dorset Coroner's Court, and the jury heard how Mr Pejril climbed on top of the machine which then suddenly started up again. His leg became trapped and although firefighters managed to free him, he was pronounced dead.
Night line leader Ryan Saywell said he asked Mr Pejril to switch off the machine before clearing the blockage and the worker had given him the thumbs-up sign indicating he understood. "At first I thought the accident had been caused by a machine fault, as he wouldn't go near a machine that was turned on. But now I think the only explanation was he hadn't turned the machine off." Communication can be difficult at the factory, as staff wear ear defenders because of the noise levels.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Simon Jones told the inquest, "Martin was trying to remove a stack of trays to clear a blockage in the in-feed. The only way to get to that blockage would be to clear the trays waiting to be loaded in. In removing the trays it has told the machine it wants more trays to be fed into it. As a result, the arms have come off and crushed Martin."
