International Workers' Memorial Day

April 28 was Workers’ Memorial Day, an international day of remembrance for workers who have lost their lives in workplace accidents.

On average, 300 Australians die at work each year. So far in 2013, 46 people have died on the job, according to Safe Work Australia.

A national memorial has been unveiled in Canberra, with eight stone poles representing the states and territories, and concrete ripples to symbolise the ripple effect a workplace death has on family, friends and colleagues.

"The National Workers Memorial is a place of reflection and acts as a reminder of the importance of staying safe at work," Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten said.

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Source: The Canberra Times

Crane overturns in workplace accident

In a recent workplace accident, a poorly maintained crane overturned during a lifting operation, causing serious damage to a car.

The incident

The incident occurred when the crane was being used to lift a yacht and the controls locked up during the de-rigging phase. Though the driver successfully freed the controls, the 35-tonne crane overbalanced and fell because the jib was still extended.

An investigation discovered that the crane was overdue for its annual examination and testing, and the controls were prone to locking up. The company also failed to provide a suitable lifting plan, which is an essential safety requirement.

The company pled guilty and was ordered to pay a total of £8,000 in fines and costs.

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Source: Isle of Wight Radio

Employee pinned to the ground in workplace safety accident

A female worker was injured in a workplace accident when a lifting device fell from the back of a truck and onto her.

The incident 


The incident occurred when a driver was transporting goods to a customer’s premises. An employee of the customer was using a lifting device under the driver’s instructions, when an object began to roll backwards off the truck and pinned the employee to the ground. The employee suffered serious injuries including broken ribs, a fractured skull and spinal injuries.

The court heard that the driver had not received training in the use of the lifting device. The company was fined $60,000 and ordered to pay costs of $7673. Worksafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch said that this case should remind companies how important it is to train employees on safe machine operation.

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Source: Safe to Work

Worker receives compensation for mental health problems following workplace death of colleague

A cold storage company was ordered to pay over $325,000 in compensation to a worker who suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and depression after the death of a colleague.

The fatal accident occurred when the worker was driving a loaded forklift at a factory and a co-worker walked in front of it, and pallets loaded on the forklift fell on him.

WorkSafe argued in the County Court that the company’s negligence was to blame for the incident. An investigation found that the company did not have an adequate traffic management system at the time.

The company was ordered to pay $326,047 for medical expenses, past losses and another year of future loss, including superannuation.

Source: Hobsons Bay Weekly

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Electrical safety hazards lead to $65,000 fine for construction contracting company

A construction and services contracting company was fined $65,000 and ordered to pay nearly $8000 in costs following an incident in which a street light came too close to high-voltage power lines.

The company was contracted to install two assembled streetlights. A crane was hoisting one of the streetlights into place, and the operator believed the power line was not in service. However the power line was live and the streetlight swung too close, causing a flashover.

The electricity travelled through the streetlight and the crane before entering the earth, causing one of the crane’s tyres to blow out. The incident caused damage to pipework. Fortunately there were no injuries, however there was a high potential for serious injury or death from electrocution or explosion.

The company had failed to perform an adequate pre-job onsite inspection, and they did not test the line before starting work or adhere to safe working distances. The company pleaded guilty to failing to provide a safe workplace.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch said: “Working in the vicinity of power lines is extremely hazardous, and it is vital that every possible measure is taken to ensure the safety of the job, especially in ensuring that everyone on the site is fully briefed on the issues.”

For more information on this workplace safety news, visit: Department of Commerce - WA

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Two companies fined for exposing workers to asbestos

Workers were exposed to dangerous asbestos fibres following a catalogue of errors by an engineering company and a building firm during a demolition and refurbishment project.

The project was badly managed, with untrained staff put in charge of the operation, and was underpinned by inadequate surveys for the presence of asbestos and poor planning throughout.

The engineering firm contracted the construction company to renovate a building. The engineering firm had two asbestos management surveys for the site, which, although later deemed to be inadequate, identified the presence of asbestos material. Despite this, work was allowed to begin in the building.

The building company failed to appoint a competent Construction, Design and Management co-ordinator and principal contractor to plan and manage the construction work. They also failed to provide a proper assessment of the presence of asbestos and its condition in the building before work started.

The building company was fined a total of £16,000 and ordered to pay £3,287 in costs, and the engineering firm was fined £8,000 with costs of £2,000.

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Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2013/rnn-w-wallcolmonoyoaktree.htm

Worker's severed fingers lead to $45,000 fine

A building products manufacturer has been fined $45,000 following an incident in which a supervisor severed two of his fingers through a flywheel press.

The supervisor was demonstrating to a process worker on his first day of work how to use the press to make gutter clips. The supervisor raised the machine’s finger guards and reached in with bare hands to dislodge a piece of metal that had become wedged in the die.

The worker depressed the foot pedal while the supervisor’s hand was in the press, trapping the supervisor’s right hand and severing his index and middle fingers.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch said the case was an example of failing to provide workers with adequate protection from the moving parts of the machinery.

“It is also worth reminding workers that they too have responsibility for their own safety and the safety of those around them, and they should not be looking to take shortcuts by bypassing safety measures.”

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Source: Safety Culture

Worker injured after crane collapse

A drilling company has been fined $170,000 after pleading guilty to an incident in which a falling gantry crane injured one man and narrowly missed several others working on a desalination pipeline project.

The company pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to ensure the safety of workers, and was also ordered to pay $2787.52 in costs.

The incident occurred when the company was dismantling a specially designed gantry crane from a pipeline site. A director instructed workers to remove the pins on the portal legs of the crane before the gantry crane’s weight was supported by the mobile crane.

As the pins were being removed, the gantry crane collapsed. A worker on the crane rode it down and was thrown heavily to the ground.

The injured worker suffered shoulder, back, leg and other injuries. He has lost range of movement in one arm and continues to suffer pain as a result of the incident.

WorkSafe’s General Manager of Health and Safety Operations, Lisa Sturzenegger, said “This prosecution serves as a timely reminder that safety must always be a top priority on any work site. As we are getting into a busy time of year for many employers and employees, we want everyone to take extra care at work.”

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Source: http://www.worksafenews.com.au/news/item/280-company-fined-$170,000-over-crane-collapse.html

Firm prosecuted for unsafe scaffolding

The lives of several construction workers were put at risk as they worked on unsafe scaffolding at a farm.

The men were spotted working on a barn conversion during a series of on-the-spot inspections carried out by the Health and Safety Executive, and the inspector immediately served a Prohibition Notice ordering the men to come down.

Workers were seen on scaffolding platforms with numerous missing guard rails, deck boards and toe boards to prevent them falling. The company was prosecuted for failing to take sufficient measures to prevent workers being injured in a fall and fined £5,000.

HSE Inspector Anthony Polec said: "Work at height is one of the biggest causes of workplace deaths in the UK, with dozens of fatal injuries every year. It’s therefore vital that construction companies do all they can to protect their workers."

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Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-nw-ribble-valley.htm?eban=rss-

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

2 companies sentenced over worker's permanent injuries

A building company and a decorating firm have been fined after a worker suffered multiple injuries when he plummeted more than 7m through a skylight.

The incident happened when the worker was painting the roof on an industrial unit. He stepped on to a fragile skylight which shattered and he fell through to the concrete floor below.

The 36-year-old broke his leg, hip, pelvis, wrist and elbow. He also sustained head injuries and lacerations to his face. The father-of-five was in hospital for 3 weeks where he underwent extensive surgery.

The sub-contractor failed to properly assess the risks involved in doing the job. As a result it didn't get a safe system of work in place. The principal contractor made very little effort to ensure the sub-contractors were competent and monitor the work being undertaken.

The injured worker said: "This has turned my life upside down. All of a sudden everyday things that you take for granted can't be done any more.”

Health and Safety Executive inspector Sam Russell said: "Work at height is a high risk activity and steps should have been taken to identify those risks and mitigate against them.”

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Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-em-16212.htm

International paper manufacturer fined £200,000 after worker’s death

An international paper manufacturer has been ordered to pay £260,000 in fines and costs for serious safety failings after a mill worker was crushed between two large rollers running at full production speed.

There had been significant production problems with paper breaks and waste material affecting the process. The 45-year-old worker gained access to the large rollers by opening an unlocked gate, & used a long-handled tool to clear waste material. The rollers were running at 131 metres a minute. He was drawn into the rollers and suffered severe crush injuries.

HSE found significant failings by the company in guarding the rollers and in training given to workers. The company was fined £200,000.

His widow said: "Words cannot describe the gap left in our lives by his death. Today's court decision can never bring him back but does give us a sense of justice.”

HSE Inspector, Jo Fitzgerald, said: "Fast moving machinery is a well-known hazard and must be properly guarded. Managers must take an honest look at how things are done and involve their workforce in identifying problems and improvements."

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Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-sw-arjowiggins.htm?eban=rss-

Man buried alive in a sand silo in a tragic workplace accident

In a tragic workplace accident, a worker at a building and mining company died when he was buried alive in a sand silo. He was moving sand from a pile when it collapsed on him.

The company’s owner told ABC today that the incident was an “unmitigated disaster”. Six FESA crews, including fire and rescue officers rushed to the worksite amid reports a man had been crushed. Attempts to extricate him were unsuccessful and he died at the scene.

WorkSafe is now investigating the incident and a spokeswoman said the man, in his 20s, was working underneath a pile of fine sand used in concrete production when it collapsed on top of him. How the mound collapsed was still being investigated.

After being told someone had been crushed, a co-worker said “it shouldn't happen to anybody at any time. Things go wrong. Mistakes happen.”

Unions WA secretary Meredith Hammat said it was concerning work injuries were on the rise after some years of decline. “Any fatality is a tragedy and for co-workers and family... I extend to them my sympathy,” she said.

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Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/man-buried-alive-in-sand/story-e6frf7jo-1226499886001

Food company in court following worker's fall

A grain milling company has been prosecuted after a worker was injured in a fall during the night shift.

The 45-year-old fell nearly 3m on to concrete after he climbed pipework to unblock a feed pipe. With no ladder or platform available, he climbed on nearby pipework and sat on one of the pipes to reach the blockage. He unbalanced and fell some 3m, hitting pipes below before landing on the ground. He suffered broken ribs, cuts and bruising in the incident.

A Health and Safety Executive investigation found the incident could have been avoided had the company put basic measures in place to protect workers against falls from height. The firm was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £3,712 in costs.

HSE Inspector Emma Rowlands said:
"You do not have to fall from a great height to either lose or ruin your life. Work at height remains one of the most significant causes of fatalities and major injuries among employees. Employers who put people at risk of serious injury or illness can expect to face enforcement action and for the worst offences criminal prosecution through the courts."

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Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-e-10212.htm?eban=rss-

Manufacturing company prosecuted after worker's arm severed by conveyor

An animal feed manufacturer has been fined after a worker lost his arm when it became entangled in a conveyor. The 35-year-old was attempting to clear a blockage on a conveyor when his right arm became entangled and was severed just below the elbow.

The company had failed to provide a safe system of work for production staff to clear blockages on conveyors and there were no guards to prevent access to the unblocking hatch. The company was fined a total of £20,000 and £9,716 costs.

HSE Inspector Steven Gill, said: "This incident could have been prevented had there been appropriate guarding in place. This type of injury is not uncommon in the manufacturing industry."

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Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-e-99.htm?eban=rss-

Worker at a seafood plant found cooked to death in an industrial oven

A worker at a seafood plant in LA met a tragic end after he was found cooked to death in an industrial oven.

Officials at the Police Department said in a statement that they received a call "regarding an industrial accident" involving a worker at a Seafood plant. Police and local fire-department personnel responded, where they found a 62-year-old male employee dead at the scene. The employee had worked for the business for six years.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration spokeswoman Erika Monterroza told the Whittier Daily News that an initial investigation indicated the worker "was fatally injured when he was cooked in an oven" but it was unclear how he ended up inside the oven, resulting in this "horrendous tragedy”. Operations at the plant were suspended for a few days.

Source: http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2019425880_cooked14.html

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Building maintenance firm prosecuted after employee loses leg

A building maintenance firm has been sentenced after one of its employees lost a leg when he was run over by a cherry picker at a nuclear site.

An investigation found there had not been a safe system of work for the task, and relevant training had not been provided. The 62-year-old had been standing close to the front of the cherry picker when it ran over his left leg, which later had to be amputated.

The company was fined £65,000 and ordered to pay £8,162 in prosecution costs.

The investigating HSE inspector, Faye Wingfield, said:
"The worker has suffered a terrible injury that will affect him for the rest of his life due to failings of his employer. If the risk assessment decided someone was needed to escort the vehicle then a safe system of work needed to be devised. Employees should also have been given appropriate training."

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Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-nw-johnsoncontrols.htm?eban=rss-

National fruit supplier sentenced after neglecting worker safety

A national fruit and vegetable wholesaler has been sentenced for safety failings after a worker lost the tip of her finger at a processing plant.

The 46 year-old worker was using a vegetable slicing machine when it became blocked. She pressed a stop button and opened a side panel to gain access to a conveyor that took vegetables to the cutting head. As she reached in to clear the blockage, the still-rotating cutting blade caught her right index finger and sliced off the tip to the base of her nail.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Jane Wolfenden said: "The company's failure to put an effective system in place to ensure machines had suitable protection devices and to give the workforce sufficient training put their workers at unnecessary risk. It was almost inevitable that injury would result. I hope that this prosecution results in the firm taking their responsibilities far more seriously in the future."

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Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-ldn-17912.htm

Truck company fined over worker's life-changing injuries

A firm has been prosecuted after one of its employees suffered life-changing injuries when he fell from a stepladder while spray-painting a lorry.

The Health and Safety Executive investigation found that the same employee had fallen off a stepladder just one month before the incident, but no action had been taken to improve safety at the site.

The worker had been painting the lorry when one of the feet on the stepladder slipped down a grill in the concrete floor. He fell approximately two metres and shattered his left shoulder and collar bone, broke several ribs and received a deep cut to his head.

HSE Inspector Kim Tichias said: "The dangers of carrying out work at height are well known and the company should have provided secure working platforms rather than giving employees lightweight stepladders. If the firm had planned the work properly and made changes following the previous incident, then the worker's injuries could have been avoided."

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Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-e-98.htm

£167,000 fine for construction company following worker’s death

A construction company has been ordered to pay £210,000 in fines and costs after an employee died following an explosion on a construction site. The explosion occurred following damage to an 11,000 volt live cable within an excavation. The 22-year-old construction operative suffered burns over 60% of his body.

The company had not informed workers that there were live cables in the excavation and the company failed to put adequate measures in place to prevent workers from coming into contact with the cable. The company pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Lisa Chappell, said: "This incident highlights the absolute necessity for such work to be properly planned and managed. Operatives should be briefed on the presence of cables and a safe system of working should be robustly enforced. The worker’s family continues to grieve the loss of a son and brother following an incident that could have easily been prevented."

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Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-ldn-200912.htm