Packaging company receives crushing $375K fine for workplace safety oversight
A packaging company has been fined $375,000 in the NSW District Court after an employee sustained crush injuries to his left ankle following a workplace incident.
The following article is an abridgement of an article originally published on the SafeWork NSW website.
Trolley car collision leads to amputation
On June 25th, 2020, an employee inadvertently stepped into the path of a trolley car while working on a conveyor. The collision trapped the worker's left leg between the trolley car and conveyor, causing severe damage to his ankle. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries, the worker ultimately had to undergo a below-the-knee amputation due to an infection.
Company failed to address workplace safety concerns
A risk assessment was carried out at the worksite around six months earlier which raised concerns regarding ‘crush/pinch points between edge of trolley car and conveyors corners.’
Although the company has acknowledged these risks as 'unacceptable', they failed to implement the recommended solutions.
In sentencing, the judge emphasized the substantial impact of the injury, emotional harm, loss, and damage caused by the offense.
Importance of separating mobile plants from pedestrian areas
Trent Curtin, Head of SafeWork NSW, highlighted the company's negligence, noting that the company was aware of the dangers but failed to take appropriate action to mitigate them. He stressed the importance of separating mobile plant from pedestrian areas in workplaces to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“[The company] were aware of the danger their employees were working in and, despite being given steps to eliminate or minimise the risk, did not act appropriately to address the risk.
“Mobile plant, including trolley cars, have the potential to seriously injure or kill people. Workplaces need to identify risks such as where mobile plant might interact with people and design their workplace layout so that vehicles and pedestrians are separate wherever possible.”
Sources
Packaging company fined after worker sustains crush injuries in workplace incident by SafeWork NSW, 23rd April, 2024.
