Lochert Bros Fined $129K After Worker Suffers Serious Degloving Injury

Introduction
A Riverland citrus exporting company, Lochert Bros Pty Ltd, has been fined $129,000 after a 22-year-old employee suffered a severe degloving injury while operating a high-pressure washing machine at its facility in Ramco, South Australia. The incident, which occurred in March 2023, highlights critical safety lapses and underscores the importance of stringent workplace health and safety measures.

The South Australian Employment Tribunal found the company guilty on two counts: breaching the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 and failing to ensure proper emergency stop controls on machinery. Despite the company’s early guilty plea and subsequent safety upgrades, the tribunal emphasized the need for accountability in preventing such incidents.

Details of the Incident
The victim, a 22-year-old employee, was operating a custom-built high-pressure washing machine designed by Lochert Bros approximately 30 years ago. While attempting to dislodge stuck oranges from the machine, her jacket sleeve became caught in a pinch point, pulling her arm into the rotating drive chain and pusher bars.

The injuries were described as “extensive and severe,” with the employee suffering a degloving injury between her elbow and wrist. She underwent surgery at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, which included a skin graft from her left thigh.

Key findings from the tribunal include:

• The emergency stop control was not prominent, clearly marked, or immediately accessible.
• The machine lacked adequate safeguards to prevent workers’ limbs from being pulled into moving parts.
• The company failed to provide sufficient information, training, instruction, or supervision to mitigate risks.

Tribunal Deputy President Stephen Lieschke noted that the injuries could have been avoided with proper safety protocols in place.

Regulatory Actions and Findings
Following the incident, SafeWork SA conducted multiple compliance inspections at the Lochert Bros facility in Ramco. Investigators issued 44 improvement notices , including 18 related to inadequate machinery guarding.

In June 2023, the company reported spending $12,669.98 on repairs and safety upgrades to the pressure washer involved in the incident. Additionally, Lochert Bros appointed Liz Fourie as CEO and invested over $250,000 in broader safety improvements across its operations.

Despite these efforts, the tribunal imposed a fine of $129,000 and ordered the company to contribute to legal costs. A conviction was recorded for each count under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 .

Impact on the Victim
While the victim has made a good recovery and remains employed by Lochert Bros, she experienced significant financial hardship during her recovery due to delays in receiving workers’ compensation.

Recognizing this oversight, Lochert Bros made a voluntary ex gratia payment of $20,000 to the victim before Christmas 2024. Mr. Lieschke acknowledged the company’s acknowledgment of responsibility but stressed that income support should never have been lost in the first place.

Broader Implications for Workplace Safety
This case highlights systemic issues in workplace safety, particularly regarding older machinery and insufficient training. Key takeaways include:

• The importance of regular safety audits and equipment upgrades, especially for custom-built machinery.
• The need for clear, accessible emergency stop controls on all industrial equipment.
• Ensuring workers receive comprehensive training and supervision to prevent avoidable accidents.

Lochert Bros plans to conduct a safety compliance audit for its transport division and site to address ongoing concerns. However, unions and regulators argue that proactive measures should have been implemented earlier to prevent such incidents.

Facility Details
The incident occurred at Lochert Bros’ citrus packing facility in Ramco , located in South Australia’s Riverland West region. The company is a major player in the citrus export industry, employing hundreds of workers across its operations.

The high-pressure washing machine involved in the incident was custom-built decades ago, raising questions about whether older equipment meets modern safety standards.