VIC steel manufacturer penalised for various safety breaches

VIC Steel Manufacturer Penalised for Various Safety Breaches

A Gippsland-based steel manufacturer has been sentenced and fined $92,000 in total following three separate workplace incidents involving various machines, resulting in severe hand injuries to employees. This case highlights how repeated safety breaches within the steel construction industry can lead to significant financial and reputational consequences for employers.

The company was convicted in the Latrobe Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 23 July after admitting to three violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Beyond the fine, the manufacturer was additionally instructed to cover expenses amounting to $15,836, underscoring how compliance failures carry costs well beyond the initial penalty.

Details of the Incidents

In connection with an incident that occurred in November 2020, the firm was ordered to pay a fine of $20,000 due to its failure to ensure the provision and maintenance of safe equipment. Each incident stemmed from inadequate risk controls around machinery, exposing workers to preventable hazards.

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said the company's negligent attitude towards safety has led to three employees sustaining serious injuries over the past three years. According to Jenkin, this pattern demonstrates a failure to properly manage risk across multiple worksites and production lines.

Why This Case Matters for Safety Professionals

Cases like this remind technical professionals across construction, manufacturing and healthcare that legislation under the Occupational Health and Safety framework demands ongoing vigilance, not just a one-time compliance check. A single lapse in risk management can result in lasting harm to a worker and lasting damage to an organisation's standing.

• Regularly inspect and maintain machinery to reduce risk of injury
• Ensure risk assessments are documented and reviewed under current legislation
• Provide ongoing training so every worker understands safe operating procedures
• Report incidents promptly to meet obligations owed to regulators and staff

Manufacturers operating heavy machinery, particularly within construction-adjacent industries, should treat this prosecution as a case study in what happens when compliance measures fall short. Robust documentation, clear work method statements and proactive hazard identification remain essential defences against similar breaches.

For businesses seeking to strengthen their safety documentation, resources such as Welding SWMS work method statements and digital Job Safety Analysis templates can help construction and manufacturing teams identify hazards before they cause harm.

To see how other Victorian employers have faced consequences for non-compliance, read our related coverage on safety breaches that led to hefty fines for Vic employers in 2023 and the case of a Vic wheel manufacturer charged for breaching workplace safety laws.

Read more here.