Hand amputation leads to $560K safety spend

More than $560,000 will be spent by a civil engineering company after a worker’s hand was amputated by a concrete pump mixer.

On 2 October 2024, the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court heard Aqua Metro Services Pty Ltd had entered into an enforceable undertaking while facing two charges of failing to ensure people other than employees were not exposed to health and safety risks.

WorkSafe Victoria said it may reinstate the charges if the undertaking is contravened or withdrawn.

In February 2022, the worker was cleaning residue from the concrete pump mixer during drain rehabilitation works at Moonee Ponds when their hand became entangled in the mixing hopper, resulting in amputation.

The concrete mixer had guarding fitted; however, it had to be removed to clean the hopper area and there were no interlocks installed in case of an unexpected start-up while the guarding was detached.

WorkSafe alleged that it was reasonably practicable for Aqua Metro Services to control the risk of entanglement through measures such as the installation of an interlocked guard; the use of a high-pressure hose to remove residue; or, if the guarding had to be removed for cleaning, using a lock-out, tag-out procedure.

The estimated $561,400 undertaking requires the company to:

• develop and deliver guarding-related virtual reality scenario training that uses the incident and other scripted scenarios as the basis for learning in a simulated onsite environment, in partnership with Master Builders Victoria;
• sponsor approximately 30 external candidates, sourced from industry partnerships and labour hire companies, and about 60 company employees to undertake the VR training;
• design and implement a smart glass application paired with QR codes installed on plant at sites operated by the company and develop a safety leadership program for the application to be undertaken by about 40 workers, with a focus on labour hire, CALD and young workers;
• fund scholarships through Monash University for students to complete a tertiary safety education qualification and place the students in the company’s apprenticeship programs; and
• donate any leftover funding to the Australian Institute of Health and Safety.
   

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said inadequately guarded machinery put workers at significant risk.

“Unfortunately when machinery is not properly guarded it’s often a matter of when, not if, a serious and potentially life-changing incident will occur,” Jenkin said.

“The only upside to this terrible incident is that significant safety improvements will now be made within this company and the wider industry, including better support for students and vulnerable workers.”

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