Melbourne manufacturer fined after worker’s fingers cut off

Melbourne Manufacturer Fined After Worker's Fingers Cut Off

A Melbourne manufacturer has been fined $40,000 after an employee lost four fingers in a workplace incident involving a press machine.

The company pleaded guilty to one count of failing to maintain a safe plant and was fined at the Sunshine Magistrates' Court last week.

How the Incident Occurred

The incident occurred in October 2020 when the worker was using a press machine to make muffler caps. Workers had to remove a guard at the front of the press machine to access the steel plate underneath.

WorkSafe said although a safety rod had been put in place to "ensure the press did not come back down before the guard did, this rod had disconnected."

"The worker tried to reconnect the safety rod and resumed operating the press, which shortly afterwards crushed his hand, amputating four fingers," WorkSafe stated.

Doctors managed to re-attach two of his fingers, though the worker sustained permanent injuries from the incident.

WorkSafe Response

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Narelle Beer said the company's failure to comply with safety rules left the worker with lasting harm.

Cases like this highlight why manufacturers must prioritise health and safety compliance around plant equipment, particularly machinery requiring guard removal for routine tasks.

This incident echoes another case where a Melbourne frame manufacturer faced fines over serious injury to a worker, underscoring a pattern of inadequate plant safety across Victorian manufacturing sites.

Similar equipment-related dangers were also seen when a Melbourne grocer was fined after a worker's hand got crushed by a meat mincer, demonstrating that guarding failures span multiple industries beyond manufacturing.

Preventing Similar Workplace Incidents

Employers can reduce risks associated with press operations and other high-risk machinery by implementing robust safety documentation, including:

• Comprehensive safe work method statements for machinery operation
• Clear procedures addressing guard removal and reinstatement
• Regular health and safety audits of plant equipment
• Documented training for workers handling press machines

SafetyDocs offers resources such as the Metal Saw Cut Off Cold SWMS and Metal Saw Cut Off Cold Portable SWMS to support safe operating practices for cutting and pressing equipment.

Businesses seeking broader operational guidance may also benefit from the Cut-off Hot Saw SOP, which outlines safety protocols for similar high-risk tasks.

For organisations building a wider safety culture, SafetyDocs' Worker Contractor Manuals provide policies and procedures designed to keep employees protected across various operational settings.

A comparable overseas case, where a New Zealand steel manufacturer faced fines after a worker died in a crushing incident, reinforces the critical need for consistent machine safety standards worldwide.

WorkSafe Victoria continues to remind manufacturers that maintaining plant safety isn't optional — it's a legal obligation that protects workers from life-altering harm.

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