The Industrial Court has fined South Australian ship management company, Inco Ships, $200,000 after the death of a qualified deck mechanic at Whyalla in December 2012.
The worker was cleaning built-up iron ore from a conveyor inside the ship, when they received fatal crush injuries. It was alleged that the company had not installed guards to stop the conveyor from moving while open.
The company was charged with failing to provide a safe system of work as well as failing to provide adequate information, instruction, supervision and training.
SafeWork SA said this accident highlights the importance of guarding moving parks on high powered machinery, and that the Court’s conviction reinforces the importance of managing risks.
When assessing and implementing controls to manage risks in your workplace, use the Hierarchy of Controls to identify the most effective control. The Hierarchy of Controls lists five control measures, in order of priority, from most effective to least effective.
In the case of this accident, using guarding as a control mechanism falls under Engineering Controls, whereby the control is to isolate people from the hazard.
Some employers may this it is easier or cheaper to start from the bottom of the Hierarchy, and simply provide personal protective equipment to minimise exposure to a hazard. But in the long term, such an approach can be more costly in both time and money. Instead, aim to start from the top of the Hierarchy instead.
If you need any assistance assessing the risks in your workplace, WLSS is here to help.