Finger injury haunts baker

A BAKERY worker is alleging he lost the tip of a finger and still suffers pain after his hand was caught in a conveyor belt when working at the Filla Bakery at Yatala.

Kazim Yucel, 33, is claiming more than $678,000 in compensation because the tip of his index finger was crushed and severed, leaving his right hand in pain and having an impact on future employment options, according to court documents filed in the Southport District Court.

He says the effects of the injury from the incident on May 18, 2016, are ongoing.

“Even the slightest knock sets the pain off. It is extremely frustrating to be in this situation,” Mr Yucel told the Bulletin.

It is alleged in the documents the injury meant Mr Yucel “lost his employment”, and he faces difficulties finding employment in the future. Despite Bulletin requests for clarification, his lawyers did not say whether Mr Yucel was sacked or left his job.

The injury occurred when Mr Yucel was watering dough and moving it from plywood to a conveyor belt.

“It’s amazing to me that businesses can bring in machinery from overseas for factories here and not have to go through rigorous safety checks before subjecting their employees to these unsafe machines,” he said.

“The day of the accident was just horrible. I hope all workplaces take note and en- sure that the safety of their employees comes first.”

The documents allege the injury occurred when Mr Yucel reached into the dough conveyor for a piece of dough before it fell into the chains and cog mechanism.

His solicitor Bree Smith, of Shine Lawyers, said Mr Yucel was also transferring dough from plywood to the conveyor.

“At the point of transfer his right index finger was crushed between the cog and chain.

“His employer, Filla Bakery, failed in their duty of care to Mr Yucel by not providing proper training and not having a basic guard sitting over the transition area which would have prevented the injury.”

Filla Bakery did not respond to requests for comment.