A TIMBER processing company in Neerabup has been fined $385,000 after a worker was seriously injured in 2022, according to WorkSafe.
Manufacturer and distributor of laminated veneer lumber Wesbeam pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that fixtures, fittings or plant were safe and by that failure, causing serious harm to the worker.
The company was fined – and ordered to pay $5976 in costs – in the Perth Magistrates Court last week.
WorkSafe said in April 2022, a Wesbeam employee was monitoring conveyors in the control room of the company’s premises in Neerabup when he left that room to attend to a blockage.
He attended the top of the waste bark conveyor and his right arm became trapped in the conveyor, crushing and degloving it and resulting in a series of surgeries, several follow-up treatments and significant ongoing pain.
WorkSafe said the conveyor was fitted with guard panels, but several of these had been modified by the company so they were hinged at the top to allow access to the conveyor.
There was a gap at the bottom of several of the hinged panels, including around the drive roller, and the gaps exposed nip points.
The nip points on the conveyor were a hazard and there was a risk of a worker being drawn into the nip points and suffering crush and entanglement injuries.
WorkSafe commissioner Sally North said the case was another grim reminder of the importance of guarding the moving parts of machinery, having isolation procedures in place and having accessible emergency stop controls.
“This is a reminder to all workplaces that effective guarding of all moving parts of machinery is crucial in maintaining a safe workplace,” Ms North said.
“I also urge employers to ensure that procedures are in place for isolating machinery during maintenance and cleaning and that all workers are aware of these procedures and the need to follow them.
“The injured worker had not isolated the conveyor in the control room before he left and there was no emergency stop control at the top of the conveyor and within his reach.
“As a result of this incident, the company installed interlocked fencing around the log yard plant, including the waste bark conveyor.
“Also installed was full-length guarding around the drive roller of the conveyor with holding screws that could only be removed using tools.
“This case has resulted in improvements to health and safety management in this workplace, but at the cost of ongoing suffering to the injured worker.
“Importantly it presents a reminder to all workplaces with machinery of the importance of guarding and safety during any type of maintenance activity.”
Ms North said the code of practice – Safeguarding of machinery and plant, available on WorkSafe’s website – outlined the hazards associated with machinery, including unguarded conveyors.
