A £20,000 fine has been issued after a employee of McGuckian Milling Company lost his arm while using company machinery.

The incident happened in the blending plant at the animal feed manufacturing site. The injured party noticed a blockage had occurred at a holding bin, and when attempting to rectify the issue had his left arm amputated by a screw auger conveyor.

Brian McGuckian, trading as McGuckian Milling Company pleaded guilty to two health and safety breaches at Antrim Crown Court.

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HSENI Inspector Gavin Rowan said: "The investigation found that Brian McGuckian failed to provide adequate information, instruction and training for the operation, use and maintenance of the work equipment. The investigation also found there was a lack of adequate guarding on the screw auger conveyor.

"Employers must ensure that all machinery is adequately guarded and that their employees are trained and competent to operate machinery. This injury was preventable, and the risk from the unguarded machine should have been identified. Employers should make sure that they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery."

(CM/MH)