Northland company fined after worker loses part of finger in unguarded pressing machine

Northland Company Fined After Worker Loses Part of Finger in Unguarded Pressing Machine

A Northland company has been fined for safety failings after a worker lost part of his finger in a workplace incident in June 2021. This case highlights why robust safety management systems remain essential for businesses operating pressing equipment.

On Thursday, the Whangārei District Court ordered the company to pay a fine of $220,000 and $31,000 in reparations following the incident. The ruling underscores how seriously New Zealand regulators treat inadequate machine safety management.

What Happened During the Incident

WorkSafe said the man's finger was partially amputated after his hand slipped into a pressing machine, and he was unable to work for two months. This news serves as a stark reminder for management teams overseeing similar equipment across the country.

WorkSafe's area investigation manager, Danielle Henry, said, "This machine was not fitted with any observable safety devices whatsoever." She added, "It was possible to have physical guards and safety sensors installed on the machine, which would have protected the workers using it."

Why Machine Safety Management Matters

Effective safety management requires more than reactive compliance — it demands proactive risk assessment before machinery reaches the shop floor. Businesses managing pressing equipment need documented management processes that identify pinch points, moving parts, and other hazards before an incident occurs.

Health and safety management frameworks should include:

• Physical guards fitted to all moving machine components
• Safety sensors that halt operation when hands enter danger zones
• Regular inspection and maintenance schedules for pressing equipment
• Worker training on safe machine operation procedures
• Clear incident reporting protocols for near misses

This is not an isolated case. Similar news stories have emerged from other sectors, including a New Zealand meat company fined after a modified machine killed a worker and a company fined after a New Zealand worker lost an arm in a conveyor belt incident. Across the Tasman, a WA engineering company was fined after a worker lost part of his arm in a comparable failure of machine safety management.

Building Stronger Safety Management Systems

Health and safety management should never be treated as a box-ticking exercise. Management teams must embed risk assessment into procurement, installation, and ongoing maintenance of any pressing machine or similar equipment.

Strong management practices also extend to documentation. Businesses should maintain a First Aid Worker Register to ensure trained personnel are available when incidents occur, alongside a comprehensive worker and contractor manual outlining safe operating procedures for all machinery.

For businesses managing vehicle fleets alongside plant equipment, a Company Vehicle Policy can further strengthen overall workplace safety management.

Read the full news report on the WorkSafe NZ website.