Two men baked alive in 100 degree oven

Two men lost their lives in 1998 due to a company putting money saving and productivity above their safety. Now, as the court case proceeds the failings are coming to light and multiple people face possible prosecution.

David Mayes (47) and Ian Erickson (44) both died when they were sent into a bread oven to repair it. The oven had been turned off for two hours, but in order to drop below the 100 degree Celsius temperatures at its core required at least 12 hours.

Both men got on to the conveyor belt the bread usually travels along to be baked. At the entrance the temprature had dropped to 40c, but as they travelled along the conveyor it soon got a lot hotter and they couldn't turn back. Mayes appeared at the other end of the 75ft conveyor and died on the floor. Erickson got stuck inside and died with 80% burns and many fractures. Both men must have suffered excrutiating pain before death.

The incident occurred at the Harvestime bakery in Leicester. At the court hearing it was stated the oven manufacturer had issued clear guidelines that the oven needed to cool for 12 hours and 4 men would be required to carry out the repairs. The gauges on the oven would have also still read 100c, but must have been overlooked.

Erickson had stated before entering the oven he wanted to get the job done quickly so he could go watch the FA Cup Final. Mayes on the other hand viewed the job as a challenge but worth the money.

Harvestime Ltd. is a trading arm of Fresha Bakeries Ltd. and both companies are pleading guilty to charges of failing to provide a safe system of work. Production director Brian Jones, chief engineer Dennis Masters, and Fresha managing director John Bridson have all pleaded guilty to charges. The final ruling and potentially huge fines are yet to be decided.

Source: Mail Online