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.

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

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.

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”

Doctors managed to re-attach two of his fingers.

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Narelle Beer said the company’s failure to comply with safety rules left the worker with permanent injuries.

Read the full story here.