Northwest Recycling Centre Pty Ltd has been fined $472,500 in the District Court of NSW as a result of a prosecution by SafeWork NSW.
The proceedings arose from a serious incident on 8 July 2022, when a worker was fatally injured while attempting to clear a blockage in a Van Gelder Green Waste Grinder from within the feed chute.
Northwest Recycling Centre Pty Ltd plead guilty to an offence pursuant to section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) for failing to comply with its duty to workers under section 19(1) of the Act.
The full judgement against Northwest Recycling Centre Pty Ltd can be read on the NSW Caselaw website at SafeWork NSW v Northwest Recycling Centre Pty Ltd - NSW Caselaw.
Northwest Recycling Centre Pty Ltd has the right to appeal against the sentence.
Workers who have concerns about workplace health and safety can anonymously contact SafeWork on 13 10 50 or through the Speak Up Save Lives website.
Business owners and workers can access a range of resources to help manage the risks of working with plant, machinery and equipment on the SafeWork NSW website.
SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer said:
“Risk control measures for working with moving plant and fixed machinery are well known.
“Preventing injuries caused by mobile plant, vehicles or fixed machinery is an area for action in SafeWork NSW's regulatory priorities.
“Having an awareness and assessment of the risks, along with implementation of safe systems of work, is key to reducing the number of incidents related to moving plant.
“SafeWork NSW reminds all businesses of their duty to ensure their workers are protected when working with plant, machinery and equipment.”
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