A Merthyr Tydfil meat factory has been cleared of any wrongdoing after a serious incident involving one of its employees. Liam Haydon, a worker at Kepak Group Ltd, tragically lost his left arm when it got caught in a machine at the plant in February 2021. After a legal battle, the company was found not guilty of breaching health and safety regulations.
The incident occurred in the ‘lamb boning hall’ where Liam, working on night cleaning duties, used a ‘Speco Solids-Liquids Separation’ machine. On a fateful night, thinking the equipment was switched off, Liam attempted to clean some debris but ended up caught in the activated machine.
Despite initial claims of safety breaches, the court heard evidence suggesting Liam had inadvertently removed the machine’s guard and possibly activated it. A deceased engineer’s earlier check didn’t find any faults with the machine, and both Liam and a co-worker acknowledged the safety measures weren’t always locked.
As the trial unfolded, the prosecution chose not to present further evidence, leading Judge Vanessa Francis to direct a not guilty verdict for the company. This concludes a distressing chapter for those involved, highlighting the critical importance of stringent safety practices in industrial settings. Stay safe, everyone! 🌟