Firm fined £10k over turkey worker who stabbed himself

A FOOD manufacturing firm has been hit heavily in the pocket after a butcher who was not wearing a protective apron accidentally stabbed himself with a knife.

Robert Bogdan, from Hungary, endured a 4in-deep stab wound while working on the turkey processing line at Cranberry Foods in Scropton in August, 2008.

The 30-year-old's injuries required surgery and could have been prevented if he had been issued with, and had worn, a chainmail apron, experts say.

Bosses from the company, based at Holly Bank Farm, admitted breaching Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £2,726.60 costs at Derby Magistrates' Court.

Section 3 states that 'employers should conduct their undertaking in such a way as to ensure , so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in their employment who may be affected thereby are not exposed to risks to their health and safety'.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is now warning food manufacturing firms to ensure that risks to staff using knives are managed effectively.

Inspector Melvin Sandell said: "This is the fourth incident of this type at the factory and it is sad that the company hadn't taken those previous warnings seriously.

"This accident could have easily been avoided had Mr Bogdan been wearing a protective apron. He was very lucky his injuries were not more serious.

"Employers should be aware that serious injuries often result from identified risks that are not properly controlled.

Where this happens, HSE will investigate the incident and, when appropriate, bring those employers before the courts." The Cranberry Foods website describes its Scropton plant as 'a centre of excellence for whole bird production'.

It says: "As Cranberry Foods continues to develop, so we continue to invest literally millions of pounds on our farms and in our plants to ensure the highest standards of welfare, efficiency, food safety and presentation."