05:53 pm, Friday 5 February, 2010

Timber company Pinetec Ltd was fined $60,000 on Friday over an incident in which a worker’s hand was caught in a machinery.

Pinetec, whose worker’s hand was badly injured, was accused of failing to provide a safe working environment.

On 9 August 2006, the man’s hand was caught in the cutting head of a moulder in the company’s Collie timber mill. His right hand and part of his thumb were severed as a result.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said the tragic incident could have been prevented if the timber company had undertaken measure to control who could access the machine.

“Pinetec should have ensured that its employees understood the importance of safe work with this machine and provided training and instruction about how to use the machine,” Ms Lhyne said.

“Further steps could also have been taken, such as a time-delay mechanism or a key-lock system on the door into the enclosed area where the machine was located.

“Many workers have been seriously injured and even killed when access to equipment or machinery has not been controlled. It is absolutely crucial that safe systems of work are in place.”

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