Heavy fine for fatal accident at Cantillana
The accident occurred on September 5, 2020 in the Harelbeek branch of Cantillana. A 61-year-old worker identified a technical problem with a machine that automatically stacks products on a pallet. Two colleagues came on site to carry out repairs to the feed belt above the machine. Little did they know that the victim had crawled into the machine herself. When the lift shaft was put back into operation, the man in his sixties became trapped in the lift of the palletizer. For the victim, all help came too late.
Whole series of security breaches
The Labor Prosecutor’s Office found a whole series of security breaches. For example, there was a lack of prevention, no risk analysis was carried out and workers were not given written instructions on how to operate the machine. The machine itself also did not meet all the requirements. They pointed out a problem with the elevator door safety switch and the defective safety cage around the machine. In addition, by conducting regular checks, Cantillana should have known that the staff were circumventing certain safety mechanisms.
The defense did not deny that there was accidental killing, but unsuccessfully sought acquittal for a number of other offenses. In addition, it was noted in particular that the company has made considerable efforts to improve its safety policy. An amicable settlement was also reached with the victim’s next of kin.