A mushroom farm worker's arm was broken in two places when he was dragged into a net cleaning machine, a court in North Somerset has heard.
The 32-year-old was using the specialist washing machine for the first time, to clean the nets used to cover the mushroom beds at the farm. The nets were fed through the machine to be washed, but the clamping mechanism which held them in place as they went in was ineffective.
Using the same method as his colleagues, the worker guided the net into the machine but within moments his hand got entangled in the dangerous moving part and his arm was dragged into the rotating mechanisms. He suffered a double break to his arm and extensive soft tissue damage.
The subseqent HSE investigation discovered safety devices were deliberately removed to allow workers to hold the nets in place by hand as the machine was running, with the safety cover open. This practice had become customary at the farm. In addition, inspectors found that the worker had received no training for using the machine.
Speaking after sentencing, HSE inspector, Christine Haberfield, said: "The worker suffered a severe injury and, nine months on, he is still not in a position to return to work.
"Machines of all sizes can cause serious injury if not used correctly. By disabling the safety mechanisms on this machine and allowing workers to feed it by hand, the farm not only failed the worker but all the other workers who used the machine and who could also have easily been injured.
"It is vital that safety devices on machines are used and checked to make sure they work properly all the time, and that anyone operating them is trained beforehand so that they know how to use them safely."
The North Somerset farm business, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 9 (1) and 11 (1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and was fined £32,000 with £3,624.59 in costs.
The NFU has produced a guide to help you make sure your machines are safe - click here.
Visit our farm safety channel here.
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