A FARMING partnership has been fined after a worker caught his arm in the machinery of a bird feeding line.

The worker had been collecting eggs in one of the sheds at Cherry Gate Farm, Mendlesham, when he noticed one of the feed lines was blocked.

Ipswich magistrates heard today that farm workers would often remove the cover on a chamber to scoop out feed and clear the sensor to get the lines running again.

As the worker was scooping feed out of the chamber, the line powered up and his sleeve got caught on the rotating parts, pulling his hand under and around the machine.

The back of his right hand was badly cut, causing damage to nerves and tendons.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive revealed that there was no safe system of work in place for dealing with blocked feed lines or any provision to ensure the secure locking off of the machinery to prevent it starting up inadvertently.

Green Labels Farm LLP of Hasketon, Woodbridge pleaded guilty to two health and safety breaches and was fined a total of £5,000 and ordered to pay £8,372 in costs.