Food processing company fined after worker's finger amputated

A food processing company has been fined $10,000 over an incident which led to the amputation of a worker’s finger.

The worker was operating a mincing machine that had a hopper at the top where meat was fed to be minced. He started the machine and climbed onto a stepladder to check the amount of meat going down the hopper. Upon noticing that the meat was only going half way down he pushed the meat down using his hand. His finger got stuck in the mincing area and was injured, requiring amputation.

WorkSafe Acting Director Ian Munns said the case was a disappointing example of an employer’s failure to provide workers with sufficient protection from moving parts of machinery.

“Subsequent to this incident, the employer installed a safe system of work for this mincer that cost less than $3000 – far less than the total $11,548 the company ended up paying in a fine and costs.

“Many workers have been seriously injured when machinery they were working on has been activated. Guarding of the dangerous moving parts of machinery is such a basic and easy precaution to take, and it’s disappointing that we continue to see cases where these simple measures are not taken.”

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Source: Safety Culture - OHS news

Food poisoning case leads to $12,000 fine

The former director of a bakery has been fined more than $12,000 over an outbreak of salmonella poisoning.

The NSW Food Authority successfully prosecuted the former director of a Bakehouse over a foodborne illness outbreak, which saw 83 people fall ill with salmonella food poisoning, of which 20 were hospitalised.

The former director was found guilty of 4 charges including; selling unsafe food, unsafe handling of raw egg products, unclean equipment and the failure to ensure food handlers had adequate skills and knowledge about food safety.

NSW Food Authority CEO Polly Bennett said the prosecution "sends a clear message to all retail food outlets that you will face enforcement action, and in some cases, prosecution, if you breach the Food Standards Code."

"It is the responsibility of every food business to ensure that the food they serve is safe to eat. The charge of failing to ensure adequate knowledge and skills of food handlers is an important reminder that competent food handlers play an important role in preventing outbreaks of foodborne illness."

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Source: http://www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au/food/news/$12-000-fine-over-sydney-food-poisoning-case

Fines of $162,400 proposed for New Jersey company cited with 18 health and safety violations

A New Jersey company is facing fines of up to $162,400 after it was cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration with 18 alleged safety and health violations at the company's warehouse.

Citations have been issued for two willful violations that involve permitting employees to ride on the forks of forklifts and a failure to provide fall protection on platforms. Other violations include locked or sealed emergency exit doors, improperly labelled doors, the improper storage of liquid propane tanks, unsafe material storage, exposing employees to live electrical parts, failing to implement a hazard communication program and failing to provide training or material safety data sheets to employees handling hazardous chemicals.

"These violations reflect the company's lax attitude toward workplace safety and health," said Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA's Area Office. "Without the proper safeguards in place, employees are vulnerable to accidents that can cause injuries and even death."  

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Source: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=23013