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Introduction
One of Queensland’s largest sugar processors, Mackay Sugar, has been fined $100,000 after a workplace accident left an employee with severe hand injuries. The court found that poor maintenance and lack of safety guards on equipment contributed to the incident, which will have an enduring impact on the worker’s life.
Details of the Incident
In September 2021, employee Trudy Maunder and a colleague attended a pump house on a cane farm near Mackay to collect water samples for routine testing. When the pump failed to start, Maunder attempted to manually engage the belts while her colleague pressed the start button. Her hand was caught in the pulley system, severing three fingertips.
The pump’s start mechanism had malfunctioned, and crucially, no belt guards were in place at the time.
Court Proceedings
Mackay Sugar pleaded guilty in the Mackay Magistrates Court to one charge of breaching workplace health and safety laws. Acting Magistrate Patricia Kirkman-Scroope described the pump as being in a “poorly maintained state” and highlighted that the company’s breach of duty extended from March 2020 to September 2021.
“The operation of the plant within the pump house was clearly hazardous,” she said. “The probability of the risk was high.”
While acknowledging Maunder’s own actions may have been a factor, the magistrate stressed that the company had failed to properly control the risks of serious injury.
Impact on the Worker
The injury has left Maunder with an ongoing disability. The court heard her life will be permanently affected by the partial amputation, limiting both her capacity to work and her daily functioning.
Magistrate Kirkman-Scroope also criticised Mackay Sugar’s reliance on a “Sugar Safe” safety booklet, describing it as a passive measure that served more as protection for the company after incidents than a genuine prevention strategy.
Company Response
Following sentencing, Mackay Sugar released a statement acknowledging the breach and outlining steps it has since taken. These include:
- Upgraded guarding in high-risk areas
- Enhanced hazard detection systems
- Improved procedures for eliminating risks
The company, which employs about 500 people (up to 700 during crushing season), said it was committed to strengthening its safety culture.
Penalty and Costs
Mackay Sugar was fined $100,000 and ordered to pay $1,600 in costs. A conviction was not recorded.
Conclusion
The ruling underscores the serious consequences of workplace safety lapses in Queensland’s agricultural sector. For workers, the case is a stark reminder of the risks posed by unguarded machinery. For Mackay Sugar and the broader industry, it highlights the importance of moving beyond passive safety information to proactive risk management strategies.