A & J Australia Pty Ltd was sentenced in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Thursday 5 March after pleading guilty to a single charge of failing to provide and maintain a working environment that was safe and without risks to health.
The company was also ordered to pay costs of $5,966.
In October 2024, a worker was operating a granulator, which had recently been acquired by the company, to grind rejected plastic products into smaller particles for re-use.
Unlike other granulators at the workplace that used fans to blow plastic dust out, the new granulator had an auger attachment which used a rotating screw to transfer shredded plastic material.
The court heard the granulator became stuck and the worker noticed a build-up of material jamming the rotating screw. While attempting to remove the jam, the worker's right index finger was severed and he was taken to hospital for surgery.
A WorkSafe investigation found there were no clearly defined roles and responsibilities concerning management obligations when new machinery was introduced to the workplace, and no procedures or checklists for minimum safety requirements for new machinery.
The company admitted that it was reasonably practicable to eliminate or reduce risks by using a permanent fixed physical barrier over the granulator's inlet area; an interlock that would de-energise the granulator and its auger attachment when it was removed from the granulator; or both.
WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said all Victorian workers have the right to go to work without fear of serious injury.
"Far too often we see workers injured due to moving parts of machinery when there are simple methods to reduce the risk of hands and fingers being crushed or severed," Mr Jenkin said.
"Every employer has a responsibility to ensure they develop safe systems and processes to properly identify and manage hazards as they emerge, including when introducing workers to new machinery."
Tips for cleaning plant and equipment safely:
- Undertake a risk assessment to identify any hazards and assess how to remove or control them.
- Have a documented procedure in place, including on how to power down and isolate equipment.
- Ensure machines are powered down, fully secured and stable before cleaning begins.
- Ensure machinery is properly guarded and safety interlocks are regularly checked.
- Ensure workers are properly trained and supervised so they understand the procedure and the risks associated with the plant and equipment being cleaned.
