Kamkee Food Limited has today been prosecuted for health and safety breaches after one of its workers was left seriously-injured.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 13 February 2017, the worker was seriously injured when the sleeve of his overcoat got caught in a large industrial food mixer at the company’s factory premises at Kingside Business Park in London. The injuries included broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and a large blood clot under the armpit.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident found the machine was fitted with an interlock bowl guard designed to prevent access to the rotating mixing arm however it had been deliberately overridden.

Kamkee Food Limited of Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff on Sea , was found guilty of breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 11 (1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. The company has been fined £40,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,599.60.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Nicholas Wright said: “These injuries would have been easily preventable had the risk been identified. Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery.

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