McCAIN Foods yesterday pleaded guilty to failing to provide a safe working environment after a worker had skin and flesh ripped from his finger while inspecting a machine used for shredding pizza crusts. The Ballarat Magistrates Court heard Gary Lennecke got his hand stuck in the shredder when undertaking maintenance work at the plant in Ring Rd, Wendouree, in September 2006. The machine is used to shred rejected pizza crusts into small pieces in preparation to be sent away and used as stock feed.Prosecutor Carolene Gwynn said Mr Lennecke had asked another worker to turn off the shredder, but he had instead mistakenly turned off the conveyer belt.She said neither switch had been labelled. Ms Gwynn said wiring to the interlock switch that would cut off power to the shredder in an emergency situation had also been significantly corroded.She described the company's slogan, "Oh McCain, you've done it again" as ironic because of five prior court appearances. The court heard Mr Lennecke spent three days in hospital following the accident, but had since returned to full duties at the Ballarat plant. Representing McCain Foods, Robert Taylor said the company had conducted a full investigation.The court heard water had caused corrosion to the wiring of the interlock switch and it had since been replaced and new safety measures introduced. The court also heard the switches had since been labelled. Mr Taylor said McCain Foods was the largest non-government employer in the Ballarat area, with 906 workers. He said the company was also a general corporate citizen, providing $114,000 in support to local community organisations last financial year. Magistrate Fiona Stewart adjourned the matter part-heard for sentencing next Tuesday.