Melbourne Cardboard Manufacturer Fined $40,000 After Worker’s Hand Crushed

Introduction

Lazo Paper Pty Ltd, a cardboard manufacturing company based in Melbourne, has been convicted and fined $40,000 following a workplace accident where a worker’s hand was severely injured by machinery.

Incident Details

The incident occurred at the company’s factory in Keysborough in 2022, when an employee was tasked with cleaning a gluing machine. The worker, unfamiliar with the machine and lacking in relevant training, had his hand dragged into the machinery’s rollers while attempting to clean them. This resulted in the crushing and breaking of his fingers.

Company Response and Legal Outcome

Following the incident, an investigation by WorkSafe revealed that the machinery was poorly guarded, with makeshift guards made from corrugated cardboard, which failed to prevent access to dangerous parts of the machine while it was running. Lazo Paper was found guilty of two charges of failing to provide and maintain safe plant and systems of work.

Health and Safety Executive Commentary

Narelle Beer, WorkSafe’s Executive Director of Health and Safety, emphasized that the use of proper guarding on machinery is a basic and cost-effective measure to ensure worker safety. She criticized the company for its inadequate safety measures, particularly for vulnerable workers due to language barriers or lack of experience.