The pet food firm Nestle Purina has been fined £50,000 after five workers received burns from a steam system.

The five men suffered severe burns to the faces, arms and hands in the incident which occurred at the firm's plant in Wisbech in August 2006. The men were all working on the maintenance of a high-pressure food processing machine when there was an uncontrolled release of steam and boiling water. The men all required hospital treatment with one needing cosmetic surgery to his arm.

Nestle Purina Petcare (UK) Limited pleaded guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000. As well as the £50,000, the firm was also ordered to pay £22,634 in costs.

HSE inspector Peter Burns, said that the Executive will not hesitate to prosecute companies which fail to take their health and safety seriously. He added: "This incident highlights the need for companies to plan and implement all projects with a clear health and safety oversight. In particular, there are strict rules and regulations around the modifications and repairs of high pressure systems that are in place to protect workers operating or maintaining these machines."

http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2011/coi-e-1811.htm#?eban=rss-