An industrial plastics manufacturer has been fined $40,000 after a worker suffered life-threatening crush injuries when his head was caught in machinery.
Class Plastics (Aust) Pty Ltd was sentenced without conviction in the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 4 December, after pleading guilty to a single charge of failing to maintain plant that was safe and without risks to health.
The company was also ordered to pay $4,000 in costs.
In April 2022, a supervisor at the company’s Truganina factory was called to assist with rectifying an issue with a plastic blow moulding machine.
As he attempted to adjust the machine, the supervisor’s head was caught between a moving bar and the machine’s frame resulting in a traumatic brain injury, fractured skull and intracranial bleeding which required immediate surgery.
The court heard that the machine’s interlock system, which should have stopped it from operating while the access doors were open, was disconnected and the sensors which should have activated it had been covered with tape.
The company admitted it was reasonably practicable to reduce the risk of death or serious injury through regular inspections and maintenance of the interlock system and checking that sensors and other safety devices weren’t compromised.
WorkSafe Executive Director Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said machinery was a major cause of workplace death and injury with seven Victorian workers killed in incidents with plant since the start of this year.
“This case clearly demonstrates the horrific and life-changing injuries that can result from workplace incidents and there’s no excuse for not taking every reasonable step to prioritise worker safety,” Mr Jenkin said.
“Critical safety features such as interlock devices and sensors should never be disabled and employers must regularly inspect their machinery to ensure they’re operating correctly.”
To manage risks when working with machinery employers should:
- Identify hazards, assess the risks associated with them and eliminate or control those risks by isolating them or using an alternative.
- Train staff in the safe operation of machines and equipment and provide written procedures in the worker’s first language.
- Develop and implement safe operating procedures in consultation with employees and health and safety representatives.
- Ensure safety guards and gates are compliant and fixed to machines at all times.
- Regularly service and inspect machines and equipment.
- Place signs on or near a machine to alert employees of the dangers of operating it.
Source: WorkSafe Vic
