Fish firm fined £245,000 after worker pulled into machine

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 16:14 · Archive

A Peterhead fish processing company has been fined £245,000 after a worker was dragged into machinery through a gap left by a missing safety guard. The incident occurred on 19 August 2025 when the 30-year-old man was trying to free a jammed box in a production line at Lunar Freezing and Cold Storage.

According to the Health and Safety Executive investigation, a section of fixed safety guarding had been removed during maintenance work about two weeks before the incident and had not been replaced. The worker entered the production line through the unguarded gap without isolating the power supply. He climbed onto a conveyor and pressed down on the box lid to release the jam, but the machine restarted and his right arm was pulled into the mechanism. Unable to free himself, he was dragged further until his head hit moving parts.

A colleague heard his cries for help and isolated the power, stopping the machine. The worker was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where he was treated for a fractured jaw and trauma to his chest and arm. He required surgery to insert metal plates into his jaw, spent three days in hospital, and made a full recovery, returning to work about six weeks later. The company pleaded guilty to health and safety offences at Peterhead Sheriff Court.

How it is being reported

• Peterhead fish firm fined £245,000 after worker dragged into machineryThe employee suffered a fractured jaw and injuries to his chest and arm after a safety guard was removed from a production line and not replaced.Press and Journal · 29 Oct, 15:51
• Fish firm fined £245,000 for safety breach after worker pulled into machineThe worker suffered a fractured jaw and other injuries after a missing safety guard allowed him to access the conveyor without isolating the power.BBC North East Orkney And Shetland · 29 Oct, 12:33

In this story: Lunar Freezing and Cold Storage · Peterhead · Health and Safety Executive · Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

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