Charges filed against Victorian plastics manufacturer over workplace injury

Charges Filed Against Victorian Plastics Manufacturer Over Workplace Injury

WorkSafe has charged a Victorian plastics manufacturer with two breaches of the OHS Act after a worker suffered a head injury from a falling machine part in November 2021.

What Happened

The incident occurred when a machine component detached and struck an employee on the head. WorkSafe Victoria alleges the plastic company failed to maintain a healthy and safe workplace for everyone at the factory site.

Investigators further allege the manufacturer failed to implement adequate measures to ensure machinery remained safe, and that essential parts weren't serviced according to the equipment manufacturer's guidelines.

The Charges

WorkSafe's case centres on two key allegations under occupational health and safety legislation:

• Failure to provide a safe working environment that protects employees and other personnel on site
• Failure to establish proper safety protocols for machine maintenance, including servicing of essential parts

This case echoes other recent enforcement actions, including charges laid against an SA poultry company over a workplace death and charges filed over a fatal workplace incident at a Melbourne depot, both of which highlight ongoing scrutiny of machinery and equipment safety across Victorian and South Australian industries.

Why Machinery Maintenance Matters

Plant and equipment failures remain a leading cause of serious workplace injuries in manufacturing settings. Regular maintenance schedules, aligned with manufacturer specifications, form a critical part of any organisation's broader health and safety obligations.

Employers carry a legal duty to identify hazards associated with ageing or poorly serviced machinery before harm occurs. Failing to do so can expose businesses to enforcement action, as this Victorian case demonstrates.

This matter isn't isolated to manufacturing alone. Similar concerns around duty of care have surfaced in other sectors, including a Victorian health service facing charges over the death of a patient, reinforcing that robust safety systems apply across every industry, not just heavy industry or manufacturing.

Next Steps

The matter will be heard on 6 March 2023. WorkSafe continues to pursue prosecutions where evidence suggests employers have not met their obligations to protect worker health and safety.

Organisations seeking to strengthen their own compliance position should consider reviewing maintenance policies, machine safety procedures, and broader psychosocial frameworks, such as those covered in workplace mental health and psychosocial policies, to ensure comprehensive protection for every worker.

Originally published on the WorkSafe Victoria website. For further safety news and updates on workplace prosecutions, visit the official WorkSafe Victoria site.