Steel manufacturer fined after three workers suffer serious injuries

AKZ Reinforcing Pty Ltd, now known as Retired AKZ Pty Ltd, pleaded guilty to three charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The Latrobe Magistrates' Court sentenced the company on Tuesday 23 July and ordered it to pay $15,836 in costs.

The company received a $20,000 fine for failing to provide and maintain safe plant following a November 2020 incident. A worker positioning a bar on a steel-bending machine accidentally pressed its foot pedal, activating the machine and crushing his right thumb. He lost skin and flesh padding and needed skin grafts.

An interlock button used in addition to the foot pedal was a reasonably practicable measure to reduce the risk of workers being crushed or entangled in the machine's exposed danger areas.

AKZ was separately fined $32,000 for unsafe plant and inadequate supervision following an August 2021 incident. An inexperienced worker operating a bending machine with a co-worker placed his hands on his workstation when the machine activated. His hand became caught on a drive roller, severing the tip of his little finger and severely crushing his ring finger.

The worker had used the machine only a few times. Reasonably practicable measures included supervising workers who were not certified as competent operators and installing a double electronic handpiece system that both operators had to hold to activate the machine.

A further $40,000 fine related to failures to provide safe plant and safe systems of work after a February 2023 incident. A worker was guiding a steel bar into a machine used to bend or roll steel into circular or spiral shapes when his right hand was pulled through a roller. He suffered significant crush injuries and lost two fingertips.

The machine had a distorted viewing panel, non-functioning safety lockouts and emergency stops, and an outdated standard operating procedure. It was reasonably practicable for AKZ to inspect and repair the machine and review and revise the procedure.

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said the company's careless approach to safety had left three workers seriously injured in as many years. “Workers are entitled to expect the machines they operate are safe and well-maintained, for safe systems of work to be in place and to have the supervision they need to do their jobs safely.”

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