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Brisbane abattoir fined $35,000 over safety breach

A Riverview company has been fined $35,000 after a worker was injured at Dinmore abattoir in January 2008.

Swift Australia Pty Ltd pleaded guilty in the Ipswich Industrial Magistrates Court on 16 March 2009 to breaching section 24 of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, (PDF, 766KB) having failed to ensure workplace safety.

The court heard the worker was involved in cleaning out a pit. While attempting to get a tanker trailer pump to work, the worker leant across the pump to check a valve. His shirt became caught in the coupling of the rotating power take-off shaft of the pump.

The worker's right knee was broken when his shirt was torn off and he was thrown over the trailer, landing on the ground on the other side.

The Workplace Health and Safety Queensland investigation revealed the power take-off shaft was unguarded and the hazard had not been identified by the company.

Industrial Magistrate Mr Matthew McLaughlin ordered the company pay investigation, professional and court costs totalling $2,466.58. No conviction was recorded.

The prosecution was brought by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, part of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.

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