Safety Signs News

Company fined �£50,000 after workers burnt by pressure system

21st April 2011 | Health and Safety Signs

Posted by Ben Alexander

Safety signs are an important part of preventing workplace injuries, such as falls, slips and trips and burns.

This week it was announced that Petcare company Nestle Purina has been fined £50,000 by Cambridge Crown Court after five workers were burned by a steam pressure system.

The workers were attending to the maintenance of a hydrostat, a high-pressure food processing machine, when an uncontrolled release of steam and boiling water hit them, leaving them with burns to their faces, arms and hands, with one man needing cosmetic surgery.

Peter Burns, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector, said: "This incident highlights the need for companies to plan and implement all projects with a clear health and safety oversight.

"In particular, there are strict rules and regulations around the modifications and repairs of high pressure systems that are in place to protect workers operating or maintaining these machines."

Mr Burns added that the incident could have been avoided if proper procedures had been in place.

Last week a company was fined £20,000 after a worker was seriously burnt after opening a 400C oven. ADNFCR-2754-ID-800508892-ADNFCR