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Company fined over worker's amputated fingers

COMPANY FINED OVER WORKER’S AMPUTATED FINGERS

A Western Sydney company has been fined more than $110,000 after a 20 year old worker’s hand was crushed by a hydraulic brake press.

Duct Australia Pty Ltd, a sheet metal company in Wetherill Park, was sentenced at the District Court of NSW for failing to ensure the health and safety of its workers.

Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said the incident occurred when the victim was operating a machine that bends and folds sheet metal.

“This poor worker did not receive adequate training to operate this machine, and tragically four of his fingers were partially amputated,” Mr Kean said.

A critical safety setting that stops the machine from operating when a hand is in the pressing area was not adjusted correctly.

“This young man at the start of his career has suffered serious crush injuries that impacts his capacity to work,” Mr Kean said.

“I want to remind all businesses that worker safety should always come first. Don’t put unskilled and untrained workers in dangerous environments. It’s just plain wrong.

“My continued goal is to ensure that every employee who heads off to work in the morning, returns home safely to their family at night.

In 2017/18 SafeWork NSW successfully prosecuted 59 businesses for failing to protect the health and safety of its workers.

Duct Australia has the right to lodge an appeal.