Man dragged into After Eight machine sustains injuries at Nestlé factory accident in Halifax

The technical operator was overseeing the production line for the popular chocolate-covered mint fondant confectionery when he placed his right hand close to a gap in the machine's housing.

The man was holding an emery cloth in his right hand, which was dragged into the machine - taking his arm with it.

He was unable to reach any of the emergency stop buttons and he had to be released from the machine by paramedics. He suffered a double compound fracture to his arm which required surgery.

The incident happened at the Nestlé Albion Mills factory in Halifax on February 13, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Nestlé UK Ltd was sentenced for breaching health and safety regulations.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had failed to prevent access to dangerous moving parts of the machine, namely an ‘in-running nip’. There was a gap large enough to allow access at a belt conveyor entry on the After Eight line.

Nestle UK Ltd of City Place Gatwick pleaded guilty to breaching Reg 11 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.They were fined £640,000 and ordered to pay £26,234 in costs.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Jacqueline Ferguson said: “This is a tragic incident that could so easily have been avoided. The risks inherent in failures to properly guard dangerous parts of machinery are well known in industry and to Nestlé.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”