Livwell bakery fined after worker amputation

A 22 year-old worker sliced the top of his right middle finger when trying to clear dough blocked in a machine at Livwell’s bakery in Hull. He later had the digit amputated above the first joint.

The HSE prosecuted Livwell Ltd on July 8 for failing to prevent access by workers to dangerous moving parts of machinery. The company was fined £9,000 and ordered to pay £18,318 in costs.

Hull Magistrates Court was told that the worker’s finger had entered a gap between the bottom of a hinged guard and the top of the conveyor belt.

Livwell’s own risk assessment had previously identified that contact with moving machinery was a hazard, but guarding had not been added to the dough machine. A guard has since been installed.

HSE inspector Dr Nicholas Tosney said:

"This incident was wholly avoidable. The hazards were identified but effective measures were not taken by the company to prevent access to all the dangerous parts of the machine.​

"The simple addition of a tunnel guard to this machine - which the company has now installed - could have saved a young man having to suffer the amputation of part of his finger.​

"All employers have a duty to ensure that machinery is guarded properly to ensure that their employees are not put at risk of injury.​"

The man was unable to work for three months but has since returned to a permanent position at Livwell’s bakery.