Manufacturer fined $90K after worker's finger severed in a granulator

A plastic packaging manufacturer has been convicted and fined $90,000 — and ordered to pay $5966 in costs — after a worker’s index finger was severed in a granulator that had been recently acquired by the company to grind rejected plastic products into smaller particles for re-use.

The incident occurred in October 2024. Unlike other granulators at the workplace, which used fans to blow plastic dust out, the recently purchased granulator had an auger attachment which used a rotating screw to transfer shredded plastic material.

The granulator became stuck and the worker noticed a build-up of material jamming the rotating screw; the worker’s right index finger was severed while attempting to remove the jam, and he was taken to hospital for surgery.

There were no clearly defined roles and responsibilities concerning management obligations when new machinery was introduced to the workplace, a WorkSafe Victoria investigation found, and no procedures or checklists for minimum safety requirements for new machinery.

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 sentenced in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 5 March.

It was reasonably practicable, the company admitted, 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.

“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,” WorkSafe Victoria Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam 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.”

WorkSafe Victoria advised the following 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.
   

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