WA vegetable business fined over severe arm injury

WA Vegetable Business Fined Over Severe Arm Injury

A Western Australia vegetable business has been fined after a worker was seriously injured when his arm got stuck in a conveyor belt more than four years ago. The case highlights ongoing risk around unguarded machinery in food processing environments and serves as a reminder for employers to prioritise safety across all operations.

How the Incident Occurred

The incident happened when the worker was clearing a blockage in the conveyor machine in May 2019. Attempting to clear the jam without proper safety controls exposed him to a significant workplace risk that resulted in lasting injuries.

"He suffered broken forearm bones and an open puncture wound and underwent surgery for internal fixation of his forearm bones," WorkSafe WA said.

Court Outcome and Penalty

The company was fined $15,000 recently at a Perth court after admitting guilt for breaching workplace health and safety regulations by failing to guard the moving parts of the conveyor belt.

WorkSafe WA said a machine guard would have prevented access to the moving parts, reducing risk of injury for anyone performing maintenance or clearing blockages near the equipment.

Why Machine Guarding Matters for Workplace Safety

This case demonstrates why guarding requirements exist under work health and safety law. Businesses that operate conveyor systems or similar machinery carry a duty to assess risk and implement controls before incidents occur, not after.

Vegetable processing and other manufacturing operations often involve moving parts that pose serious hazards. Employers should consider:

• Fitting compliant guards on all moving machine parts
• Reviewing safe work procedures for clearing blockages
• Providing training so staff understand risk before performing tasks near conveyors
• Conducting regular safety audits of plant and equipment

Comparable cases, such as the New Zealand forestry company fined over a worker's arm injury and the mining company fined over worker injury, show how guarding failures across different industries lead to similar outcomes. A further example, the Sydney transport company fined over work injury, reinforces that no sector is immune from this risk.

Supporting Safer Workplaces

Organisations across manufacturing, automotive and food production sectors can strengthen their safety systems with tailored documentation and policies. SafetyDocs offers resources including a Business Improvement Policy to help businesses build stronger safety culture and reduce recurring risk.

Sector-specific safety services are also available for manufacturing and automotive businesses seeking guidance on machine guarding and compliance obligations. For businesses recording workplace incidents, an Event / Injury / Investigation Report Form can support consistent reporting practices following any injury.

Businesses seeking further guidance on developing safety documentation and services can visit our support page for assistance tailored to their operations.

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