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Company Director Jailed

A company director has been fined £30,000 and sentenced to 12 months for manslaughter after a 36-year-old employee was killed in a paper-shredding machine. The Judge said the custodial sentence should be served as six months imprisonment with the remainder under a supervision order. The costs of £55,000 were ordered to be paid equally by the director and his company.

The employee, a foreman who had spent all of his working life with the company, died when the machine started after he climbed into it to clear blockages. This had been regular practice and the accumulation of dust and debris had prevented the emergency stop button working and it had been disconnected.

Evidence showed the director had chosen not to follow the advice of his health and safety consultant and had allowed standards to fall. The Judge said “Only an immediate custodial sentence will suffice as punishment for you and to make it clear Courts will not countenance a situation such as arose in this case”.

To avoid similar incidents clients must ensure safe systems of work are devised and maintained, and employees are properly instructed in the procedures.

If you have a query regarding this Beware Notice, or any other health and safety related issue, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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