Feed Maker Faces $169K Fine After Conveyor Injures Man

A feed manufacturer in Northern Ireland is facing penalties after a court found the firm did not sufficiently safeguard a chain and flight conveyor at the facility, leading to the injury of one of its employees.

Working to clear the conveyor at Masons Animal Feeds Ltd in Portadown, 17-year-old victim's arm became caught in the machinery and dragged in, detailed a report from Irish website FarmingLife.com. The man received damage to his arm and wrist and currently experiences mobility issues. The conveyor transports animal feed from the site's mixing plant to a part of the site for bagging, the news website said. 

On Friday, the Newry Crown Court sentenced the firm to pay a fine of £120,000, or about $169,700, for breaking a provision of the Health and Safety at Work Act and a violation of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations.

“Employers must ensure that all machinery is adequately guarded and that the employees are trained, competent, and authorized to operate machinery,” Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) Inspector Sean Keogh said in a statement printed by Armaghi.com.

The County Armagh business provides animal feed products to customers in Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland for sheep and cows, according to the firm’s website.

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