Risk, Health and Safety Information

Fine for Nestle UK

Nestle have been fined £180K following an employee’s death.

Nazar Hussain died in December 2008 after his colleague started a machine at the Nestle factory in Halifax without realising that Mr. Hussain was inside.
The HSE investigation revealed that Mr. Hussain probably went into the machine as it was blocked due several large tins becoming jammed earlier in the day and triggering the audible alarm system.

When it sounded again, Mr. Hussain’s colleague walked all the way around the machine to check nobody was inside it. As he did not see anyone, he restarted the machine; it shuddered, came to a stop and triggered the alarm again.
Mr. Hussain’s body was subsequently found in a crouched position inside the machine, he had died immediately.

The investigation further revealed that although a key safety device was available, Nestle had not advised staff what it was or how to use it.
Nestles’ safety failings were exacerbated by the fact they had previously received information and advice about how to improve the guarding on the machine but it had never been applied to Mr. Hussain’s machine.
Bradford Court fined Nestle UK £180K and ordered them to pay almost £42K in costs.

A HSE spokesperson commented that this terrible tragedy could have been easily avoided; Nestle failed in their responsibility to make sure that robust systems were implemented to control entry into the machine and to prevent it from being started whilst somebody was inside.

A family has been devastated and without a provider due to the company’s inexcusable negligence. It is imperative that other companies take action to avoid similar accidents and fatalities in the future.

Firms need to be aware that the HSE will not stop their policy of taking appropriate action against safety failings and those which fail to achieve the required standards