$120K fine follows worker caught between conveyor rollers

A boilermaking and welding company has been fined $120,000 in the Industrial Court of NSW after a worker was seriously injured after being caught between conveyor rollers. The incident occurred on 5 October 2022 while the worker was assisting with the loading and unloading of material from a blasting machine.

The fine was the result of a SafeWork NSW prosecution, the company plead guilty to an offence pursuant to section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) for failing to comply with its duty under section 19(1) of the Act.

“Risk control measures for working with equipment such as conveyors are well known. Being injured when working with plant, machinery and equipment is a preventable hazard we see across our State and across all industries,” SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer said.

“Preventing injuries caused by mobile plant, vehicles or fixed machinery is an area for action in SafeWork NSW’s regulatory priorities,” Schorer added. “Having an awareness and assessment of the risks, along with implementation of safe systems of work, is key to reducing the number of incidents related to plant, machinery and equipment.”

Workplace incidents involving vehicles and other mobile plant are the leading cause of workplace fatalities in NSW. SafeWork NSW has resources to help manage the risks of working with plant, machinery and equipment here.

You can read the full judgment here, on the NSW Caselaw website.

Image credit: iStock.com/Oselote. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.