Abattoir Worker’s Long Road to Recovery After Losing Part of Leg in Meat Processor Accident

Incident Overview

In October 2021, a worker at Hilltop Meats in Young, NSW, suffered a severe leg injury when his left leg became trapped and partially severed in a screw conveyor chute. A co-worker had accidentally switched on the machine while the worker was clearing a blockage inside the chute. He was airlifted to Canberra Hospital, where part of his leg was amputated.

SafeWork NSW was notified of the incident. In September 2025, following a guilty plea to breaching the Work Health and Safety Act, Hilltop Meats was fined $750,000 for failing to ensure safe working conditions and exposing workers to serious injury or death.

SafeWork NSW was notified of the incident. In September 2025, following a guilty plea to breaching the Work Health and Safety Act, Hilltop Meats was fined $750,000 for failing to ensure safe working conditions and exposing workers to serious injury or death.

SafeWork NSW investigated the incident. The investigation found that Hilltop Meats had no formal safety procedure for clearing the conveyor and relied on a verbal process among workers. The worker had never received training in the official method for unblocking the chute, which was not being followed on site. Conveyor guards protecting the machine had been removed for months.

SafeWork NSW investigated this incident in 2021. Any workers, contractors or persons with information about safety practices at Hilltop Meats or similar incidents in the meat processing industry are encouraged to contact SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or report online at safework.nsw.gov.au.