A meat processing firm is being prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive after a cleaner died when her head was cut off in a horrific accident.

Lynda Trebilock, aged 53, had been working at the DeliCo plant in Tattenhoe, Milton Keynes, as a cleaning supervisor, and had been employed there just two months when the tragic accident happened in the early hours of the morning of 19 May 2007.

A court heard how the married mum of two was inspecting a blender used to mix four tonnes of meat when she crouched beneath the machine to inspect a flap, where the load is discharged and to clean it. But the flap closed suddenly with substantial force acting like a pair of scissors and cutting off the top of her head above the eyebrows.

The court was told that two of her colleagues at the plant found her lying on her back on the floor after hearing her screams. Emergency services were called immediately but she was pronounced dead upon their arrival as her head injuries were so severe. A police statement at the time said: “An investigation was launched which concluded that there had been no foul play and the death has now been passed to the Health and Safety Executive.”

An investigation was then launched at the firm which produces pre-cooked ham and pork for supermarkets and high street shops. DeliCo Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws and failing to ensure the safety of employees at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court.

Chief Executive of DeliCo, Bernard Hoggarth said: “This is horrendous for her family and for everyone who was working at the factory at the time. It was such a tragic accident; we’ve never experienced anything like it. The machine was not a slicer, it doesn’t have blades, and there were no exposed parts.”

Prosecuting the firm Geoffery Knipe told the court that the investigation revealed that Mrs Trebilock had accidentally locked a metal clipboard being used to cover the sensor to keep the flap open. He said: “The machine had a proximity switch to check there was a large metal container to receive meat when it came out of the flap. At times the company was using a plastic container so to bypass the proximity switch and keep the flap open they were using a metal clipboard. It can only be assumed that someone, possibly Mrs Trebilock herself, hit this metal clipboard and knocked it from the switch, causing the flap to close on her head and she died as a result.”

He said that the investigation led by the Health and Safety Executive had found numerous examples of inadequate instruction, training and supervision at the plant.

DeliCo Ltd is owned by Cranswick Convenience Foods Plc, which bought the company in 2006. The company is due to be sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court in Buckinghamshire at a later date.

Anthony McCarthy, an Associate Solicitor at Macks Solicitors, comments:

“The tragic death of Lynda Trebilock graphically illustrates the importance of Health and Safety at work. Her accident was entirely avoidable and if her employers had provided appropriate work equipment, instructions and training she would not have sustained her fatal injuries. It is vital that employers realise that the safety of their staff is paramount and that risks to which their employees are exposed at work are properly assessed