The company which makes Sherbet Dip Dabs, Mojos, and Black Jacks
sweets, as well as Butterkist popcorn, has been fined £300,000 for
causing the death of one of its workers.
Tangerine Confectionery, Britain's biggest sweets firm, failed
to ensure the safety of its workers and did not properly assess its
factory for risks to prevent work accidents.
Martin Pejril, 33, had been unblocking a machine hwen it
restarted and crushed him to death at the factory in Alder Road,
Poole, Dorset, in February 2008. He was pronounced dead at the
scene.
The Blackpool-based firm was convicted of two breaches of health
and safety law at Bournemouth Crown Court, which fined Tangerine
£150,000 for each of hte breaches and ordered it to pay £72,901 in
legal costs.
Health and safety inspector Simon Jones said: "A proper risk
assessment would have highlighted the dangers of entrapment. All
employees need to be adequately trained incorrect company
procedures, whether it's for clearing blockages, operating machines
or any other high-risk activity".