Health and Safety Executive (London): Man severs fingers at bagel factory

A man severed two of his fingers while operating unsafe machinery at a London bagel bakery city magistrates have heard.

Mr Raakesh Patel, from Harrow, was attempting to clear a dough blockage at the Ixxy’s Bagels factory in Park Royal, North West London, in November 2007, when a moving blade severed the middle and ring fingers on his right hand down to the knuckle.

The City of London Magistrates Court heard that Ixxy’s Bagels Ltd was aware the equipment was faulty at the time of the incident. The rotating blade in the bagel dividing machine continued even when the rear doors were opened.

Despite being aware of this fault, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found Ixxy’s failed to take adequate steps to prevent Mr Patel, 26, from using the machine.

Ixxy’s Bagels Ltd, of Harley Street , London, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and was fined £2,250 with £9,719 costs.

After sentencing, HSE Inspector, Jack Wilby, said:

“Work equipment must be maintained in an efficient state and in good working order.
Ixxy’s Bagels Limited failed to do this resulting in one of their employees severing the tips of two of his fingers.

“Ixxy’s Bagels were aware of the fault on the machine, at least two days before the incident and failed to take adequate steps to protect their staff. This is another unfortunate reminder to employers, that you have a duty to maintain your work equipment. Failure to do so can result in serious personal injury as we have witnessed with this young man.”

ENDS

COILDN/2501

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to prevent death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training, new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. For more information about the work of HSE, visit www.hse.gov.uk
2. Regulation 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 states that every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.
3. HSE media releases can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/press.htm

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