Tyrrells, the crisp producer based in Hertfordshire has been fined after one of its employees lost a part of his finger in a fryer.
The 35-year-old man, who has asked not to be named, was cleaning part of the frying machine in November 2012 when he caught his finger in the moving chain and sprocket.
Hereford Magistrates’ Court heard how, as a result of the incident, the middle finger of his left hand was left severed just beneath the first joint. He had to take two months off sick but has since returned to work with the company, although the injury has reduced his ability to grip.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the chain and sprocket was inadequately guarded. Soon afterwards, a fixed guard was fitted to the chain and sprocket however the incident could have been avoided had this been in place earlier.
Tyrrells Potato Crisps Ltd, of Leominster, was fined a total of £8,000 along with costs of £5,000 after it pleaded guilty to breaching the Provision of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
HSE Inspector Tariq Khan, who spoke after the hearing, said: “The incident was entirely preventable. Tyrrells Potato Crisps Ltd failed to ensure that moving parts capable of causing injury and within hand reach were adequately guarded.
“Employers are required to take effective measures to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery, or stop their movement before any part of a person enters a danger zone.”