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Introduction
A workplace accident at a manufacturing factory in Dandenong South has resulted in a worker suffering partial amputation and degloving of his middle finger, highlighting significant safety oversights and the need for rigorous training protocols.
Details of the Incident
In May 2022, an employee at Askin (VIC) was involved in a severe workplace accident while attempting to unblock an extractor vent. Using a plastic pipe to clear the vent, the worker inadvertently caused the pipe to contact a rotary valve. This contact pulled his hand towards the valve’s blades, leading to the traumatic injury.
Current Status and Legal Proceedings
Askin (VIC) was recently sentenced in the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court, pleading guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace. The company was fined $40,000 without conviction and ordered to pay $4,350 in costs. Additionally, Dekro Recruitment, the labor hire company that employed the worker, was fined $25,000 for failing to maintain a safe system of work.
Implications for Workplace Safety
This incident serves as a crucial reminder of the dangers associated with inadequate safety measures in the workplace. WorkSafe’s investigation criticized the lack of preventive safeguards, such as an interlocked guard, which would restrict access to hazardous parts of machinery while in operation.
Authorities’ and Company’s Response
WorkSafe emphasized the importance of protecting workers, especially those new to the workplace, from known risks. They stressed that both employers and labor providers must develop and enforce robust safety systems to manage and mitigate potential hazards effectively.