A Victorian bakery has been fined $40,000 for breaching the 2004 OHS Act, for:
- Failing to provide and maintain safe plant, and
- Failing to provide appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision
This came about after a worker’s fingertips were amputated by a machine filling pastries with custard.
The machine places a set amount of custard into the pastry cases, then turns and closes the as the custard is pushed forward through a tube into the pastry. It was the task of the worker to manually refill the machine because the filler pump was broken.
The bakery was aware the machine had been malfunctioning all day, but continued to keep it in operation.
The tips of three of the worker’s fingers were amputated when, after noticing the custard wasn’t dispensing correctly, the worker reached into the machine to clear the blockage, and his hand became stuck.
During the investigation, the bakery worker told WorkSafe Victoria that he had not been trained if a malfunction occurred, and there was no-one to ask, as both the supervisor and line manager had left the factory before the incident.
WorkSafe Victoria stated that “a lack of proper training and lack of guarding on machinery was a potentially deadly combination”, and “no worker should be operating machinery that they haven’t been trained appropriately to use.”
Safety isn’t just restricted to the construction industry. All businesses, regardless of the industry, has a duty of care to keep their workers safe. And in turn, workers are responsible for working in a safe manner, without posing a risk to themselves or others.
If you use plant and equipment in your workplace, or undertake specific tasks, that pose a risk to workers, WLSS can help. We can develop safe operating procedures for each plant, equipment or task, and train and induct workers in the safe procedures.
Alternatively, if you are unsure of the safety requirements of your workplace, contact us, we’re here to help.
