Olive harvester fined $157,500 over fatal machinery crush
27 Oct 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
Andrew John Bucknell has been convicted and fined $157,500 in the Industrial Court of NSW following a SafeWork NSW prosecution over a fatal incident involving an olive harvesting machine.
The incident occurred on 26 May 2023, when an olive farm owner suffered fatal injuries after being crushed by the jaws of a harvesting machine. The machine was inadvertently activated while Mr Bucknell was adjusting it.
Mr Bucknell pleaded guilty to an offence under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 for failing to meet his health and safety duty to other persons under section 19(2).
The judgment is available on the NSW Caselaw website. Mr Bucknell has the right to appeal his sentence.
SafeWork NSW identified preventing injuries involving mobile plant, vehicles and fixed machinery as an area for action in its regulatory priorities this year. It said the risks associated with moving plant and fixed machinery are well known, and related injuries and deaths are preventable.
The regulator highlighted risk awareness, assessment and the implementation of safe systems of work as key to reducing incidents involving moving plant and fixed machinery. Resources are available to help business owners and workers manage risks associated with plant, machinery and equipment.
Workers can raise workplace health and safety concerns anonymously with SafeWork NSW by calling 13 10 50 or using the Speak Up Save Lives website.
How Blue Safe can help: Our free SWMS tool can help businesses carrying out high-risk construction work involving plant identify hazards and document risk controls. Create a free SWMS