A tobacco manufacturer based in Ipswich has been fined £32,000 for neglecting to implement measures to prevent access to the rotating blades of a ribbon blade mixer.
Employees using the machine had unrestricted access to the entire body, posing a significant risk of serious personal injury if they were to come into contact with the rotating blade.
An inquiry by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that Honeyrose Products Limited failed to establish appropriate measures to ensure that access to hazardous parts of machinery was restricted.
HSE guidance advises employers to assess how their workers utilise machinery and to have adequate maintenance arrangements in place to ensure its safe operation.
Honeyrose Products Limited, located at Alpha Business Park, White House Road, Ipswich, admitted to breaching Regulation 11(1) of The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and Regulation 3(1) of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
The company was fined £32,000 and instructed to cover costs of £12,583 during a hearing at Ipswich Magistrates Court on 28th March 2024.
Following the hearing, HSE Inspector Julia Beavis remarked, “Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
