Company fined $220,000 after death of foundry worker

A company in Seven Hills, Sydney has been fined $220,000 by the NSW Industrial Court following the death of an employee.

Intercast & Forge Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 8(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000, for failing to provide a safe system of work resulting in the tragedy at its foundry on 11 February, 2003.

The hydraulic press operator died as a result of skull fractures, brain injury, along with other serious internal injuries.

The employee was changing punches on a hydraulic press at the time of the incident.

WorkCover prosecuted the company for failing to provide adequate supervision of its employees undertaking or assisting in breakdown maintenance of the hydraulic press; failing to provide proper training and instruction and failing to carry out an adequate risk assessment of the tool changing process.

Intercast & Forge Pty Ltd was also ordered to pay costs and a moiety of the fine to WorkCover.

In handing down the sentence Justice Boland said the risk was foreseeable and there were simple remedial steps that should have been taken by the employer.