Food manufacturer fined $180,000 after sixth machinery guarding prosecution

The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court sentenced Makmur on Wednesday after the company pleaded guilty to failing to provide a safe working environment and failing to provide safe plant with an interlocking guard. It was also ordered to pay $5,816 in costs.

The incident occurred in October 2024 while a worker was using a metal scraper to shift dough from the edge of the mixing bowl towards the agitator. The scraper hit the rotating agitator blade, crushing the worker’s finger between the scraper and another part of the machine. The resulting laceration required hospital treatment.

WorkSafe’s investigation found that a metal grill installed by Makmur did not adequately prevent access to the rotating blades. Gaps were large enough for someone to reach a hand or arm behind the grill into the danger area.

Makmur admitted it was reasonably practicable to use a combination of fixed and openable guarding connected to an interlock, preventing access to the danger area while the machine was running.

The company had previously received fines totalling $345,000 following charges relating to five similar incidents dating back to 2014.

WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said the company’s safety record demonstrated a brazen disregard for workers’ safety. "This is the sixth time Makmur has been prosecuted over inadequate guarding on their machinery, leaving workers with hands and fingers degloved, crushed, lacerated and amputated," Mr Jenkin said.

"WorkSafe has a trove of guidance on how to properly guard machinery and we also offer free, independent safety consultations to help manufacturing employers meet their obligations – so there really are no excuses."

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