$40,000 fine after contractor’s arm dragged into unguarded shredder
02 May 2024•BlueSafe Team•Source: WorkSafe VIC
Manhari International Pty Ltd has been fined $40,000 after a contractor suffered serious arm injuries at its Tottenham recycling plant. An investigation found factory-supplied conveyor guarding had been removed.
The company pleaded guilty in the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court to two charges of failing to ensure a workplace under its management or control was safe and without risks to health. It was fined without conviction and ordered to pay $4,132 in costs.
The incident occurred in August 2021 while the contractor was operating a shredding machine that separated, compacted and cut materials. He noticed that one of its two conveyor belts was stopping and starting.
After kneeling beside the conveyor, he fell forward and his left hand touched the belt. His arm was pulled into the machine up to his elbow. He suffered broken bones and skin loss, needed multiple surgeries and skin grafts, and is unlikely to regain full use of his lower arm and hand.
WorkSafe’s investigation found the conveyor’s factory-supplied side guarding had been removed, leaving no guarding in place. A risk assessment completed when the machine was installed in May 2020 had identified risks from exposed rollers and rotating parts.
The court heard that reasonably practicable measures included retaining the factory-supplied guarding and installing guards over the running-in nip points on both conveyor belts. A system of work incorporating a safe work procedure and requiring workers to check that guards were fitted was also reasonably practicable.
WorkSafe Executive Director Health and Safety Narelle Beer said those managing or controlling workplaces had a duty to ensure they operated safely or risk prosecution.
“Safety guarding on plant and machinery is crucial to keeping everyone in the workplace safe and reducing the very real risk of death or serious injury – so it beggars belief that anyone would allow such a machine to operate without this in place,” Dr Beer said. She said the worker’s traumatic, life-changing injury could and should have been prevented.
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