Bakery directors face hefty fines over safety breach

A bakery company and three of its directors face large fines
over the deaths of two men in a bread oven.

Fresha Bakeries, trading as Harvestime Bakeries, has pleaded
guilty to four counts of failing to provide a safe system of work.

Three directors have admitted to similar charges, all under
the Health and Safety at Work Act, at Leicester Crown Court.

The charges relate to the deaths of two workers in May 1998.

Both men died after maintenance on a 75ft bread oven went
wrong at Harvestime’s plant in Leicester and the men became trapped and then
crushed by machinery.

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The case was adjourned for sentencing until July. They face
joint fines that the HSE say could total almost £250,000.

By Mike Broad