JTI fined £150,000 over death at Northern Ireland cigarette factory

Japan Tobacco International, which owns the Gallaher cigarette factory in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, has been fined £150,000 for health and safety violations, according to a BBC Online story relayed by the TMA.

Maintenance engineer, Trevor Allen, died in July last year after a robotic arm fell on him.

Northern   Ireland’s Health and Safety Executive (HSENI) prosecuted the company on the grounds that neither Allen nor his colleague had been trained to carry out the work they were asked to do.

HSENI found that other workers at the factory were trained to carry out the work, but an attempt to contact one of them was made too late.

The company pleaded guilty at Antrim Crown Court to two violations of health and safety legislation including failing to carry out a proper risk assessment.

“We sincerely regret that this tragic accident occurred and recognise and acknowledge the family’s devastating loss,” said Robert Bisaillon, managing director of JTI in Ballymena.