Vietnamese worker injured in meat grinder accident

Taipei, Jan. 13 (CNA) A Vietnamese national working at a food processing company's factory in Yunlin County was injured Monday after his right hand was caught in a meat grinder.

Two fire trucks and two ambulances were sent to the scene of the accident, which occurred at around 1 p.m., the Yunlin County Fire Department said in a statement.

According to the statement, the worker sustained an injury to his right palm that was not life-threatening, but medical personnel said they had to forcibly dismantle the grinder to free the worker's hand.

After the worker was freed, he was sent to a hospital where he received further treatment, medical personnel said. No other details were provided on the extent of the injury itself.

The owner of the food company told CNA by telephone that the mishap occurred when the worker's glove was caught in the machine, and said the company would improve employee education.

The Yunlin County Labor Affairs Department said it sent personnel to the factory to inspect whether any safety measures there needed improving.

The Ministry of Labor's Central Occupational Safety and Health Center is also investigating whether there was negligence by the company that led to the accident.