A cheese processing and packaging business in Victoria has been slapped with a $50,000 fine after two workers had fingers amputated while on the job.
Australian Dairy Packaging Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to provide and maintain a safe working environment in Heidelberg Magistrates Court on Friday and was fined without conviction.
In 2019, two staff members were injured by the same machine in separate incidents at a Heidelberg West factory.
The first incident occurred in March of that year, when one of the workers reached into a ribbon blender machine to clear a blockage and had one of his fingers amputated and another finger severely injured.
He was hospitalised for two months and underwent surgery to reattach his fingers.
The second incident occurred two months later when a woman lost multiple fingers after a similar scenario.
WorkSafe Acting Executive Director Health and Safety Adam Watson said both incidents could have been prevented.
“Having two severe incidents on the same machine over such a short time frame is a clear sign this company wasn’t taking the health and safety of its workers seriously enough,” Mr Watson said.
“Sadly as a result, two workers are now dealing with life-changing injuries that could have easily been prevented.”
The business was also ordered to pay $3131 in costs.
Source: 7News
