$40,000 work safety fine for Victorian company

WorkSafe said that a recent $40,000 fine for a Nhill company in the Horsham Magistrates' Court highlighted the need for employers to make sure all staff in the workplace are sufficiently trained.

The call comes after Luv-A-Duck Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to two breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, including failure to maintain a plant and failure to provide adequate training. The company was prosecuted by WorkSafe Victoria after an incident in which a worker suffered horrific injuries to his hand after it was caught in a machine. The injured worker required almost a month's hospitalisation and numerous operations to repair the injured hand.

An investigation by WorkSafe found there was inadequate protection on the machinery to prevent injuries and that the company had not provided sufficient instruction on safe usage of the machinery.

WorkSafe executive director John Merritt said that it was crucial that all machinery in the workplace was guarded to prevent injuries.

"We've had laws relating to the guarding of machinery in Victoria since the late 1800s. It is simply not good enough for companies to expose their workers to these types of risks," Merritt said.

"It is also just as important that all employees are trained and supervised - whether they are new starters or have been on the job for a while is just as crucial for good workplace safety. I urge all Victorian employers who have questions or want help to contact WorkSafe via our advisory line, our website or a visit to the local office."