Gate safety failure leads to HSE prosecution

UK abattoir fined ￡467,000 as ‘unsafe system’ left woman needing head surgery following incident.

A meat production company has been fined almost ￡500,000 after a 63-year-old woman was seriously injured at one of their abattoirs.

The security guard, who was working for an independent security firm, needed urgent surgery after being hit by a vehicle as she held open a gate.

Her duties at the Hatherleigh site, in Devon, included manually operating the gates to allow delivery drivers access.

The 2018 incident, which happened at the entrance, left the worker with serious head and leg injuries after being hit by a vehicle towing a trailer.

Now an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has deemed the system of work unsafe and ordered Dunbia (UK) to pay ￡467,186. ?

The Exeter-based business pleaded guilty at Plymouth Magistrates Court in October.

The Health and Safety Executive found that the system of work was unsafe and that the company’s risk assessments did not extend to the security guards. Risks had not been adequately assessed or controlled. Although there was a high volume of vehicle movements on site there was no segregation between the vehicle routes and pedestrians on site.

Dunbia (UK), of Castle Street, Exeter, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined ￡440,000 and ordered to pay costs of ￡27,016 and a victim surcharge of ￡170 at Plymouth Magistrates Court on 12 October 2022.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Victoria Buchanan said: “Employers have a legal duty to ensure that the health and safety of their employees, contractors, and members of the public are not put at risk.

“This incident could have been avoided had the company assessed the risks from vehicle movements at the site entrance and implemented safety measures including segregating vehicles and pedestrians.”

Director of Security Access Systems, Martin Keelagher , added: “This terrible incident could have been avoided if an adequate and thorough risk assessment had been carried out and implemented for all individuals onsite, including security staff working at the perimeter.

“We urge site managers to consider whether appropriate assessments have been carried out to mitigate risk, such as the installation of automated gates and/or barriers to control traffic flow and keep your sites more secure.

“It is important to keep safety equipment well-maintained and in line with the latest legislation as well as training your staff thoroughly in how to use them correctly.?

“My advice would be to talk to a member of our team or a DHF registered company to carry out any future installation or maintenance works to ensure you get the highest standards, and create a safe environment for all workers.”

Contact Security Access Systems today for a full site assessment (T: 0161 430 7111)