A Sydney metal packaging manufacturer has been fined $180,000 after one of its workers had three fingers crushed in a machine, Better Regulation Minister Matt Kean said.
The Sydney District Court was told the 35-year-old production worker had to have her middle finger and part of her ring and index fingers amputated after they were crushed by an unguarded press at Morris McMahon & Co Pty Ltd’s Wolli Creek factory.
Judge David Russell imposed the fine on the company for failing to ensure the health and safety of the casual worker.
Mr Kean said the woman was working on a press machine making screw tops for small drums when her hand was crushed in April 2015.
“SafeWork NSW launched an investigation and found procedures and checks had failed to ensure a guard was in place to protect this worker from such horrific injuries,” Mr Kean said.
“This incident could have easily been prevented, but instead it has left this poor woman with terrible injuries. Had the safety guard been operating – as it should have been – the incident would never have happened.”
The court was told the woman’s training had not included safety guard operation, or conducting checks to ensure safety features were operating before using the machine.
Last year SafeWork NSW successfully prosecuted 32 defendants and issued 130 penalty notices.
The company has the right to lodge an appeal.