Peterhead fish firm fined £245,000 after worker dragged into machine through missing guard gap
A safety guard removed during maintenance had not been put back
Last updated 21 hours ago
A fish processing company in Peterhead has been fined £245,000 after a worker was dragged into a machine through a gap where a safety guard should have been.
Lunar Freezing and Cold Storage Company Limited was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £18,375 at Peterhead Sheriff Court on Wednesday, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said.
The company, of East Quay, The Harbour, Peterhead, pleaded guilty to breaching sections of work equipment regulations related to dangerous parts of machinery and breaching a health and safety regulation.
What happened
The man suffered a fractured jaw and trauma to his chest and right arm when he was pulled into a conveyor mechanism on a production line at the company's premises on 19th August last year.
He was working as chargehand on the production line at the time.
The man, who was 30 at the time, needed surgery to insert metal plates in his jaw and spent three days in hospital.
He returned to work on 29th September 2025 and has since made a full recovery.
What the HSE found
The HSE found a section of fixed guarding had been removed during maintenance two weeks earlier and had not been put back.
Without the guard, HSE said the gap gave access to the machine without the power being isolated.
HSE found that had the guarding been in place, the only way into the machine would have been through the interlocked gate, and the man would not have been dragged into it.
Comments
HSE inspector Nicky Smith said: "This was a wholly preventable incident which left a worker seriously injured."
She added: "A missing guard and an unchecked gap left the way open for a worker to be dragged into a machine. Guards must be kept in place, and checks must cover every guard, not just the electrical ones."
The victim, who did not wish to be named, issued a statement through law firm Digby Brown.
He said: "I am relieved the Crown has held my employer accountable for the safety failures that led to my injuries."
He said: "The substantial fine issued by the court reflects the seriousness of what happened."
He said: "I hope this verdict serves as a clear reminder to all employers that worker safety must always come first."
He said: "My focus remains on my ongoing recovery and finalising the remaining legal matters surrounding this incident."
He said: "I will not be making any further comments at this time."
Lunar Freezing and Cold Storage Company Limited has been approached for comment.