05:51 am, Monday 29 June, 2009

A sawmill company has been fined $7,500 for failing to maintain plant in a safe condition which led to a worker injuring his leg.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching section 19 of the Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act 1986.

The incident occurred at the company’s premises where it cuts wood to manufacture pallets, boxes and crates.

During an operation to cut timber with a Twin-Edge Saw, a log fell from its position on the machine. A worker went to retrieve the log and was caught by his shorts in an unguarded chain and sprocket that were in motion.

A co-worker hit the emergency stop. The injured worker suffered a laceration to the groin area, but recovered fully and was able to return to work three weeks later.

A SafeWork SA investigation found a roller on the machine had been removed for repairs. Although the injured worker was partly to blame for venturing into a restricted area, The Guard that would otherwise have covered the exposed chain and socket had not been replaced.

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