Toll Transport fined $807,500 over conveyor injury

The Industrial Court of NSW imposed the fine following a prosecution brought by SafeWork NSW.

The incident occurred on 20 December 2022. The worker was using a crowbar to dislodge the pallet from the conveyor when they were seriously injured.

Toll Transport pleaded guilty to an offence under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, having failed to meet its duty to workers under section 19(1). The company can appeal its sentence, and the judgment is available on the NSW Caselaw website.

SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer said the controls for risks associated with moving plant and fixed machinery were well known. She described injuries and deaths involving this equipment as preventable and occurring across NSW and across industries.

The Commissioner said preventing injuries involving mobile plant, vehicles and fixed machinery was an area for action under SafeWork NSW's regulatory priorities this year. She identified understanding and assessing risks, together with implementing safe systems of work, as key to reducing incidents.

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.

Resources are also available to business owners and workers to help them manage risks associated with plant, machinery and equipment.

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 that may need attention. Take the free WHS self-check