On Wednesday 5 March, the Mansfield Magistrates' Court heard Koala Cherries Pty Ltd had entered into an Enforceable Undertaking while facing two charges of failing to provide safe plant; one charge of failing to provide information, instruction and training to employees; and one charge of failing to maintain a safe system of work.
WorkSafe may reinstate the charges if the undertaking is contravened or withdrawn.
In December 2021, a labour hire worker was sorting cherries during her first shift at the company's packing facility in Yarck, when she noticed a box stuck on a conveyor belt adjacent to her own.
While both machines were still running, the worker reached over to dislodge the box and her hand was caught in the pinch point of the neighbouring conveyor, where the belt and rollers met.
Colleagues quickly pulled an overhead emergency stop cable, but the conveyors continued to operate until a worker ran to an isolator switch and successfully terminated power to both machines.
The worker was taken to hospital and treated for a degloving injury.
WorkSafe alleges it was reasonably practicable for Koala Cherries to have installed guarding on the pinch points of the two conveyor belts; provided necessary information, instruction and training to employees; and regularly checked the emergency stop cable to ensure it functioned properly.
The estimated $220,000 undertaking requires the company to:
- Provide significant safety upgrades to the workplace and its practices.
- Produce visual safety aids and videos on the key risks at workplace.
- Collaborate with the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) and two other industry organisations to create, publish and distribute standard operating procedures and template competency tests for:
- the operation of tractors, skid steer loaders, ATVs and RTVs;
- manual handling;
- power assisted pruning;
- spray pumps;
- chemical spraying, storage and handling; and
- the use of boom lifts.
- Collaborate with the VFF to host two free training events for industry operators that address topics including incident reporting and the most common risks associated with plant, equipment and machinery on farms.
- Make a donation of $15,000 to assist the VFF in continuing to deliver its strategic objectives.
WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said that no one deserves to endure such gruesome injuries when there are simple steps that can be taken to prevent harm.
"Requiring a worker to operate a conveyor belt on their first day, without appropriate training or adequate guarding on the machines, is completely irresponsible," Mr Jenkin said.
"It is encouraging to see this company committing to delivering upgrades and resources that will help improve safety at their workplace and across the industry at large."
To manage risks when working with machinery employers should:
- Identify hazards, assess the risks associated with them and eliminate or control those risks by isolating them or using an alternative.
- Train staff in the safe operation of machines and equipment and provide written procedures in the worker's first language.
- Develop and implement safe operating procedures in consultation with employees and health and safety representatives.
- Ensure safety guards and gates are compliant and fixed to machines at all times.
- Regularly service and inspect machines and equipment.
- Place signs on or near a machine to alert employees of the dangers of operating it.
