SafeWork SA issues safety warning to fruit and vegetable businesses after worker injury

SafeWork SA Issues Safety Warning to Fruit and Vegetable Businesses After Worker Injury

SafeWork SA has issued a safety warning to employers in the fruit and vegetable sector, after a worker was seriously injured in the Riverland early this month.

The female worker was working near the pressure washing conveyor of a fruit production line when her clothes got stuck in the plant. She suffered serious arm injuries and was flown to an Adelaide hospital for treatment.

What Happened During This Fruit Packing Injury

This fruit packing injury prompts warning across South Australia's agricultural sector, highlighting how quickly routine tasks near moving plant can turn hazardous. SafeWork SA said, "With fruit and vegetable production lines operating year-round in the Riverland and across South Australia, SafeWork SA reminds all businesses to be aware of their Work Health and Safety (WHS) obligations and ensure that dangerous moving parts of machinery are guarded."

Read more here.

Why SafeWork SA Is Urging Farmers to Strengthen Machinery Safety

SafeWork SA is urging farmers and other agricultural workers to take extra precautions when operating near conveyors, pressure washers and other production plant. Unguarded machinery in the fruit and vegetable sector poses a persistent risk to workers, particularly where loose clothing or hair can become caught in moving parts.

South Australia's fruit and vegetable industry relies heavily on continuous-running plant to meet processing demands, meaning risk exposure remains high throughout the year. Employers across this industry carry a legal duty to identify hazardous plant, assess associated risk and implement effective machine guarding before workers are placed near dangerous equipment.

Health and Safety Obligations for Businesses

Under South Australian work health and safety legislation, businesses must:

• Guard all dangerous moving parts of plant and machinery
• Conduct regular risk assessments of production line equipment
• Provide safety training for workers operating near conveyors and washing systems
• Maintain electrical and mechanical safety standards on all plant used in production
• Ensure transport and handling equipment is properly maintained and guarded

These obligations apply to every workplace in the fruit and vegetable industry, regardless of size. Health outcomes for workers depend heavily on how seriously employers treat their guarding and risk management responsibilities.

Reducing Risk Across the Fruit and Vegetable Industry

Incidents like this Riverland injury demonstrate why ongoing safety vigilance matters across agricultural and food processing plant. Employers should regularly review electrical systems, transport pathways and mechanical guarding on production lines to reduce hazardous exposure for their workforce.

For businesses seeking guidance on strengthening their safety systems, SafetyDocs offers resources including a Work Health and Safety Manual (WHSM) and an Occupational Health and Safety Manual (OHSM) to help formalise workplace procedures.

Businesses operating transport or heavy plant equipment may also benefit from reviewing our Tyres and Rims Replacement SWMS Safety Procedure to support broader plant maintenance practices.

Related SafeWork SA Safety Warnings

• SafeWork SA issues safety warning after worker injures hand in conveyor belt
• SafeWork issues hot weather safety warning
• SafeWork SA issues scaffolding collapse safety warning

To learn more about upcoming events focused on workplace safety, visit the Workplace Health and Safety Show, or explore customer reviews and testimonials from businesses that have strengthened their safety systems with SafetyDocs.