A Kerry company has been convicted and fined €400,000 after pleading guilty to breaches of safety, health and welfare at work legislation.
Dairymaster Unlimited Company of Causeway, Co Kerry was convicted at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court this week following a fatal work-related incident in Limerick in 2020.
The company says it acknowledges the decision of the court and extends its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased man.
This case came before the court following a fatal work-related incident which occurred at a dairy farm in County Limerick on July 30th, 2020.
A farmer was fatally injured from a pneumatic powered parlour back entry gate, designed and manufactured by Dairymaster Unlimited Company. This gate was used to control animals in the milking parlour, creating a separation between the holding area and the cow standing area, and keeping the cows in position while being milked.
Dairymaster Unlimited Company had previously pleaded guilty to six charges in breach of safety, health and welfare at work legislation.
Judge Simon McAleese imposed a fine of €200,000 on the breach of Section 16(3) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 contrary to Section 77(2)(a) and a fine of €200,000 on the breach of Section 16(1)(a) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 contrary to Section 77(9)(a).
The remaining counts were taken into consideration.
Dairymaster says it extends its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased man following the tragic loss of life, saying their thoughts remain with them.
Dairymaster says since the accident, they have worked with the Health and Safety Authority and independent specialists as part of its review of the animal entry gate.
The Kerry-headquartered company says it places the safety of all users of its equipment at the forefront of its activities and remains committed to continuous improvement in farm safety.
The fatal incident was investigated by the HSA and its CEO Mark Cullen says this tragic incident demonstrates the vital importance of ensuring machinery is properly designed, tested and supplied with adequate safety information.
Mr Cullen says manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe for use at work, as the consequences of failing to do so can be devastating.
