Meade Potato Company fined €150,000 for serious workplace incident

A fine of €150,000 has been handed down to Meade Potato Company Unlimited following a serious work-related incident which occurred at the company’s premises almost four years ago.

The incident occurred in June 2022 when a worker's right arm was drawn into the brush rollers of a machine while he was carrying out his duties, causing him to become trapped.

The victim sustained life-changing injuries as a result of the incident.

Meade Potato Company Unlimited had earlier pleaded guilty to two charges in breach of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

The company pleaded guilty to Section 8(2)(a) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, as it relates to Section 8(1), contrary to Section 77(9)(a), in that it failed to manage and conduct work activities in such a way as to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare of an employee at work.

The company also pleaded guilty to Section 8(2)(e) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, as it relates to Section 8(1), contrary to Section 77(9)(a), in that it failed to provide systems of work that were planned, organised, performed, maintained and revised in such a way as to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare of its employees.

Overseen

Chief executive of the Health and Safety Authority Mark Cullen said that employers must ensure that work activities, particularly those involving machinery with moving parts, are managed and overseen with robust safety measures in place.

"Properly planned and maintained systems of work are essential in preventing serious injuries. This case highlights the consequences when these fundamental protections are not in place," Cullen said.

The fine was imposed by Judge John Martin at Trim Circuit Criminal Court on Friday 20 January.

In a statement to the Irish Farmers Journal, a spokesperson for Meade Potato Company acknowledged the outcome of the recent court proceedings relating to the workplace incident at its Lobinstown facility in June 2022.

"Our primary concern remains with our former colleague who was injured in this incident.

"We continue to review and strengthen our operational procedures and safety systems across our facilities and remain fully committed to maintaining the highest standards of workplace safety across our workforce of almost 500 people," the spokesperson said.