Man crushed by roller

Factory fined $55,000 after loom incident

HUYCK Wangner Australia Pty Ltd has been fined $55,000 for failing to provide a safe workplace after an employee was dragged feet-first into a loom roller while trying to remove loose yarn from the fabric.

Geelong Magistrates’ Court was told the man’s pelvis was fractured in two places and his ankle injured as a result of the incident.

Worksafe investigators found there was no hazard identification such as a job safety analysis for operating the loom, inspecting the fabric or removing loose yarn.

Worksafe also found there was no interlock switch that would have prevented the machine operating if someone was inside it.

Huyck Wangner Australia Pty Ltd, which makes felt for conveyor belts, pleaded guilty to the charge under the Occupational Health and Safety Act on Tuesday.

Worksafe regional director Adam Rogers said proper guarding was cheap and effective. ‘‘Yet we continue to see workers hurt by common types of machines, and often the hazards and solutions are well known,’’ he said.

‘‘It is essential employers get on the front foot by taking a preventative approach to identifying and controlling the risk of dangerous machines at their workplace.’’

Worksafe has also revealed that almost 450 body parts have been amputated from Victorian workers by common types of machinery in the past five years.

The amputations, together with cuts, crushing and other injuries to nearly 11,000 workers, have l ed to a $220 million bill for medical treatment, rehabilitation and income support during the same period.