Tissue manufacturer fined $150,000 after worker’s hand crushed
08 Oct 2025•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
Pacific Tissue Pty Ltd has been fined $150,000 in the Industrial Court of NSW after a worker’s hand was crushed in a toilet roll manufacturing machine. The prosecution was brought by SafeWork NSW.
The incident occurred on 8 March 2023 as the worker fed paper into the machine. Their left hand became caught between rollers, causing serious crush injuries.
Pacific Tissue pleaded guilty to an offence under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW), having failed to comply with its duty under section 19(1). The company can appeal the sentence.
SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer described injuries involving unguarded machinery as a known hazard and a preventable risk seen across NSW industries.
“SafeWork NSW reminds all businesses of their duty to ensure their workers are protected when working with plant, machinery and equipment.”
Workers can raise workplace health and safety concerns anonymously with SafeWork by calling 13 10 50 or using the Speak Up Save Lives app.
Resources to help manage risks associated with plant, machinery and equipment are available to business owners and workers. The full judgment against Pacific Tissue is available on the NSW Caselaw website.
How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your business’s approach to workplace health and safety and identify areas for closer attention. Take the free WHS self-check