In a judgement issued by Dandenong Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 10 December, Cryoquip Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to two counts of not ensuring a work safety environment and was subsequently fined. The charges were specifically for the failure in instituting a safe operation protocol for employees, signified by a $30,000 fine, and $20,000 for inability to uphold safe equipment standards. Additional costs order totaled $4,000.
The incident leading to these charges took place in June 2022 when an employee was operating a pipe-bending machine. The process necessitated manually holding a pipe in position during the bending cycle. As the worker acted as both the operator and manual holder of the pipe, her hand got caught in the machine’s moving parts, resulting in severe injury requiring hospital treatment.
A subsequent WorkSafe investigation revealed that Cryoquip lacked a formal training method for using this particular machine. Worryingly, the manager who had trained the injured employee had not been properly trained himself and was largely operating on trial and error. Such circumstances underscore the crucial need for effective WHS management systems like Bluesafe WHS Management System.
During the court proceedings, Cryoquip conceded that it could have feasibly mitigated the risk of such injuries. This would entail implementing a sound SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) alongside performing a comprehensive risk assessment of the machinery. Moreover, providing proper information, instructions, and training on operative procedures should have been a standard protocol. These measures should include specific details, such as adjusting the machine’s time delay settings – all achievable within a comprehensive Bluesafe SWMS.
WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety, Sam Jenkin reiterated the significance of adequate training and safety provisions when dealing with operational plant machinery. Describing the encounter as ‘gruesome’, he stressed the glaring absence of safety norms in this case. “Failure to provide safe machinery and proper training is unacceptable and WorkSafe will persistently act against employers who disregard their duty,” Jenkin declared.
In managing risks associated with machinery operation, it is imperative for employers to utilise WHS management systems and policies that ensure a secure work environment for all employees.
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Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2024-12/50000-fine-after-workers-fingers-stuck-machine