Farm worker dragged into reed combing machine
Health and Safety Executive v Dullam & Co (Farmers) Ltd (2018) Exeter magistrates’ court, July 25
Statutory reference: regulation 11 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).
Dullam & Co (Farmers) Ltd has been fined after a worker was dragged into a reed combing machine.
The facts
In March 2017 John Dullam, a director of the company, was working on the machine at a farm in South Molton. His overalls became entangled in the drum feed intake. His legs were pulled into the machine and were trapped. He suffered serious injuries.
The drum belt feed intake had no effective guarding to prevent any person coming into contact with drum. Following a blockage, Dullam climbed onto the machine and stepped down onto the platform where the drum feed mouth was located. The machine restarted and caused his overalls to become entangled in the drum belt. He was drawn feet-first into the machine.
The decision
The company was fined £6000 plus £1000 costs plus a victim surcharge of £120 under regulation 11 of PUWER.