The Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) has prosecuted County Armagh based Envirogreen Polymers Limited for failing to adequately prevent access to the dangerous parts of a baler machine.
On 15 August 2019, an HSENI inspection found that a safety interlock on a baling machine had been bypassed, meaning there were no measures in place to stop employees accessing dangerous parts of the machine during operation.
The company was fined £5,000 at Newry Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to failing to ensure the safety at work of their employees.
HSENI Inspector, Kiara Blackburn said: “Employers have a legal duty to ensure employees and others are not put at risk from unguarded machinery.
“Interlocked guards are vital to ensure machines cannot be started before the guard is closed, and to prevent the machine being opened while its mechanism is moving.”
Poorly maintained, absent or bypassed machinery guards have the potential to cause serious crush injuries and traumatic amputations.
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