Wilgahurst Pty Ltd trading as Injune Cypress

Incident description:

A worker was injured when adjusting the packing of a bench saw. The packers are situated on each side of the saw blade just behind the teeth, under the bench. A worker had adjusted the packing while the saw was still running and was testing the adjustment by touching the saw blade with a metal spanner. As he did this, the spanner slipped and pushed his right hand into the teeth of the saw. The worker sustained severe cuts to his right index finger, thumb and hand.

Investigation findings:

Prior to the incident, the process used by the worker to adjust the packing was the accepted practice at the company. Although the bench saw was fitted with a guard, the guard was in a raised position at the time of the incident and so did not prevent the injury.The company did not have any documented safe systems of work in place at the time of the incident. The company did not have a risk management process in place.

Considerations for prevention:

After the incident, the company implemented a bench operation procedure.

Obligation holders should consider the requirements of the Plant Code of Practice 2005, in particular part 5.1 Risk management, part 5.14 Maintenance, servicing and cleaning and part 5.22 Instruction, training and supervising workers.

Court result:

The compnay pleaded guilty and was fined $35,000 with no conviction was recorded.

• Risk management: The 5 step process
• Guide to machinery and equipment safety (PDF, 400kB)