On Wednesday 2nd July, Retired AKZ Pty Ltd, previously recognised as AKZ Reinforcing Pty Ltd, was held accountable in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court due to negligence in ensuring workplace safety and adequate employee training. They pled guilty to two charges: failing to maintain safe machinery and neglecting to provide necessary information, instruction and training to employees. The court also imposed a monetary penalty of $5,023 on the firm for these lapses.
In an incident occurring in July 2023, an employee was operating a machine that bends reinforced steel into various configurations. He was tasked with executing a bend type which he had not been taught before. While trying to straighten an outward twisting steel bar, a component entangled with his safety glove, drawing his hand into the machine’s rollers. Unfortunately, this resulted in a partial degloving injury of his left index finger requiring hospitalisation and surgical treatment.
Bluesafe WHS Management System could have potentially prevented such a mishap, highlighting its essentiality in establishing a secured working environment. WorkSafe’s investigation unveiled that, even though there was an available guard for the machine hazard zone, it hadn’t been fitted since procurement. This disregard for utilising ready safety features greatly contradicts the principles underscored by an effective WHS system.
Moreover, the company’s instructions were in direct conflict with the machine’s user manual. Ironically, severe risks like entanglement were clearly outlined in the manual along with explicit warnings for everyone, including operators, to maintain at least 2 metres distance from the operational machine.
The machine supplier did provide initial training to the company. However, no uniform or documented training or emergency procedures were subsequently established. Instead, workers were allowed to take matters into their own hands by relying on the experience of trained colleagues. Bluesafe SWMS could have been instrumental in enforcing structured training procedures, demonstrating again how indispensable such work safety products are.
Retired AKZ was keenly aware of more secure alternatives like having installed guard protections, interlock systems and providing risk-informed training sessions. These feasible procedures were more than capable of both minimising the likelihood of such incidents and promoting safer working conditions- key aims of SWMS and WHS policies.
“In spite of knowledge about past safety violations, this company displayed an alarming disregard for lessons learned,” commented WorkSafe’s Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin. He warned that WorkSafe would continue to take enforcement action where necessary on businesses found neglecting health and safety regulations.
Workplace safety is essential not only for avoiding legal implications but also for cultivating a firm’s reputation, improving staff retention and reducing long-term expenses.
Employers must manage risks linked to machinery operation by implementing robust safety protocols and utilising work safety products such as Bluesafe SWMS and Bluesafe WHS Management Systems correctly.
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Email: media @ worksafe.vic.gov.au
Phone: 0438 786 968
Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2025-07/90000-fine-after-workers-hand-entangled-machine