Disconnected safety switch leads to worker's death

Categories: Engineering Health and Safety | Food Health and Safety | General Health and Safety |


Disconnected safety switch leads to worker's death A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that a maintenance worker who was killed in a machine had disconnected the safety switch.

The Northern Irish man suffered fatal injuries all over his body when the food processor turned on while he was inside, reports the Press Association.

It is thought that he must have pressed an activating paddle and that the equipment started because the mechanism preventing it from doing so with an open top was no longer connected.

Nancy Henry, HSE inspector, commented: “The machine could not be made to malfunction during inspection. The only way it could be made to start was by pressing one of the paddle buttons.”

A verdict of accidental death was recorded by the jury.

HSE guidelines on its website provide employers with information on how to improve safety conditions and risk assessments.

It states that personal protective equipment such as safety boots, safety helmets and hi vis clothing should properly fit the wearers.ADNFCR-1200-ID-18732977-ADNFCR

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