Westrock Oceania Pty Ltd

On 2 July 2022, a worker’s hand was drawn into and became caught between two metal rollers of a cardboard sheeter when trying to clear a blockage. The worker suffered serious hand injuries.

Alleged breach

Westrock Oceania Pty Ltd contravened section 19(1) and 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Summary of undertaking

Activities Westrock Oceania Pty Ltd will undertake include:

  • Automation of the Flat Work area to reduce the interaction between people and mobile plant items and reduce manual handling injuries to workers
  • A third-party sheeter machine safety audit with a focus on fixed/removable guarding, interlock devices, electronic monitoring systems and human machine interaction
  • Sharing lessons learnt and safety successes with industry through the development and promotion of a case study.

This undertaking has a total expenditure of $1,045,000.

Reasons for accepting the undertaking

  • The alleged contravention does not appear to be a section 31 Reckless conduct category 1 or section 34C industrial manslaughter offence, which if it was the case, would preclude the proposed undertaking from being accepted
  • The nature of the alleged contravention and the actions taken by Westrock Oceania Pty Ltd in response to the incident are assessed as being appropriate for consideration of an undertaking
  • The strategies proposed in the undertaking have been assessed as likely to deliver long term sustainable safety improvements in the workplace, industry and community
  • The undertaking addresses the requirements contained within the “Enforceable Undertakings - Guidelines”.

Date accepted

17 October 2025

Further information

View the full Westrock Oceania Pty Ltd undertaking (PDF, 356.64 KB).

If you are not able to access the information in this PDF we can make alternative arrangements for you. Please contact enforceable.undertakings@safework.nsw.gov.au.

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