GRAIN mill company Young Stock Feed has been fined in the NSW Industrial Court after a 2006 incident when an employee seriously crushed his right hand in unguarded machinery.
On 26 June 2006, a worker’s right hand was caught between two unguarded rollers in a roller mill machine, resulting in an amputation.
The court heard there was inadequate guarding fencing or interlocks on the roller mill, which would have prevented access to the rollers while the machine was in operation.
Both the company and its director pleaded guilty to charges of failing to ensure employees were not exposed to risks to their health and safety. The company was fined $220,000, and the director fined $16,500.
WorkCover says employers need to be proactive when dealing with workplace safety. They need to ensure safe systems of work are in place, and address potential workplace hazards.
Machine guarding should prevent access to all areas of a machine that are dangerous to the operator and passers by, and workers need to be trained and instructed on the safe operation of equipment.