UK Company Fined for Safety Measure Breach That Caused Indian-Origin Worker’s Death

A UK based polymer company has been slapped with a fine of around €300,000 ($339,703 approx.) for the breach of safety standards, which led to the death of an Indian-origin worker.

Nylacast Engineering Plastic Solutions, a plastic product manufacturer, has been fined for a safety measure breach in April 2016, which led to the death of the company’s employee Tarsem Singh. Singh, 52, was injured after being hit by a machinery at company’s plant in Leicester that year and died of heart attack, reported BBC.

The company admitted in Northampton magistrates court that safety and health-related regulations have been breached on its part during operations of the company.

The court imposed a fine of €293,000 on the company and ordered to pay over €10,000 in costs.

According to a report in Leicester Mercury, District Judge Tim Daber said before pronouncing the judgment, “On behalf of all parties I would like to pay tribute to the quiet dignity with which the family of Tarsem Singh have conducted themselves throughout these proceedings.”

He further said, “The failings in this case were not an isolated incident as the risk existed each time the machine was used. In this court’s judgment, this was an accident waiting to happen.”

In the accident, that took place in company’s plant, an end cap of a pressurized molding machine blew off to hit Singh at a speed of 80 mph. This sudden blow fractured victim’s chest and jaw. It was also told to the court that a similar accident took place at the company’s plant last year and injured another employee. However, that incident was not reported.

“Nylacast deeply regrets the incident which occurred in April 2016 and wishes to reiterate its sincerest condolences to the family of Tarsem Singh,” said the company’s statement published in Leicester Mercury.

“Safety is always our number one priority, and as we do with any incident or observation, our practices and protocols have been and are continually reviewed to ensure the well-being of our colleagues,” statement further said.

Kulwinder Kaur, Singh’s wife, said after hearing that she was learning to live without her husband and she still feels the pain of losing him, reported BBC.