Poultry farm faces charges after fatal incident involving conveyor belt in Lethbridge

Poultry Farm Faces Charges After Fatal Incident Involving Conveyor Belt in Lethbridge

A Lethbridge poultry farm operator has been charged by Victoria's workplace safety watchdog after a worker suffered a fatal injury from being crushed by a conveyor belt in March 2023. WorkSafe has charged the company under Victoria's occupational health and safety legislation following an investigation into the incident.

The man, aged 34, was operating the conveyor belt without its guard in place when he became caught in rotating parts near the tail pulley. He died as a result of injuries sustained during this workplace incident.

Details of the Charges

The company faces three accusations under section 26(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing to provide a workplace that is safe and free from health-related dangers. This section places clear duties on employers to protect worker health at all times.

WorkSafe alleges the farm operator failed to install a fixed guard over an in-running nip point near the tail pulley. Investigators also claim the company failed to implement a lockout-tag out procedure preventing the conveyor from operating during maintenance works.

• Failure to install a fixed guard over an in-running nip point near the tail pulley
• Failure to implement lockout-tag out procedures during maintenance
• Breach of general safety duties under section 26(1) of the Act

Why Machine Guarding Matters

Conveyor systems present serious hazards when pulleys and nip points remain unguarded. Employers across agriculture, manufacturing and construction sectors must ensure guards stay fixed in place before machinery operates, and that maintenance staff follow strict lockout procedures.

This incident echoes findings from other recent cases, including a conveyor belt incident in Newcastle and a separate case where a Victorian farm worker was killed in a conveyor belt incident. Each case highlights how gaps in guarding and maintenance protocols can lead to fatal outcomes.

Strengthening Workplace Health and Safety Compliance

Businesses operating machinery with moving parts should review their safety management systems regularly. Robust incident reporting processes, supported by tools such as an incident management checklist, help identify hazards before they cause harm.

Organisations should also revisit their incident reporting policy to confirm reporting obligations align with current health and safety legislation. Similar prosecutions have followed other charges laid after fatal workplace incidents, reinforcing the importance of proactive risk management.

This case serves as a reminder for poultry farm operators and other high-risk industries that guarding failures and inadequate maintenance procedures carry severe consequences—both for worker safety and for legal compliance.

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