Polymaster Incurs $65,000 Fine for Unsafe Workplace After Worker’s Thumb Severed

Incident Overview

In March 2021, a female employee at Polymaster, a Victorian water tank manufacturer, suffered a severe traumatic injury when her thumb was severed by an industrial sander during routine machinery operation. The machine drew in her hand, resulting in amputation; attempts to reattach the thumb were unsuccessful.

WorkSafe Victoria investigated and found the company had failed to provide a safe working environment and enforce critical operating procedures. Polymaster was subsequently fined $65,000 plus $16,000 in legal costs, with the court emphasizing the severity of the injury and the company’s responsibility to enforce safety protocols.

WorkSafe Victoria investigated and found the company had failed to provide a safe working environment and enforce critical operating procedures. Polymaster was subsequently fined $65,000 plus $16,000 in legal costs, with the court emphasizing the severity of the injury and the company’s responsibility to enforce safety protocols.

WorkSafe Victoria conducted a comprehensive investigation and identified serious safety failures. The probe concluded that the employee was unaware of specific operating procedures prohibiting the wearing of gloves, and that broader serious safety risks existed in Polymaster’s operations. The investigation led to prosecution and the imposition of penalties.

WorkSafe Victoria found that Polymaster had failed to communicate and enforce critical operating procedures, specifically the prohibition on wearing gloves while operating the sander. The company’s broader operational safety systems were also found to be inadequate, exposing workers to serious risks.

WorkSafe Victoria encourages any workers, former employees or persons with information about unsafe practices at Polymaster or similar machinery hazards in Victorian manufacturing to report their concerns. Contact WorkSafe Victoria on 1800 136 089 or lodge a report via worksafe.vic.gov.au.