Penrith: Company cops heavy fine after worker breaks leg
A Penrith manufacturer has faced court on safety charges after a worker was injured on the job in 2017.
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A Penrith manufacturer has copped a heavy fine after a worker was seriously injured on the job.
SafeWork NSW prosecuted Trans Vent Spiral Tubing Pty Ltd after the worker was injured while loading a steel coil into a machine.
The company was fined $90,000 in the District Court of NSW after pleading guilty to two charges under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
A worker was using a forklift to load steel coils into a machine in January 2017, despite not having a forklift licence.
He picked up the coil with a forklift tine and then left the forklift to manually inspect whether the coil was at the right angle to fit into the machine.
The 400-kilogram coil fell on his left leg leaving him with a broken tibia and fibula.
Executive director of investigations and enforcement for SafeWork, Valerie Griswold, said it was essential to have a safe work method in place to avoid situations involving uncontrolled and unsecured loads.
“These coils are very heavy and become a serious danger when they’re in the air,” she said.
“However, the risk could have been eliminated with adequate safe work planning.
“One way to avoid having an unsecured load is to use a jib or sling and ensure only workers with a valid high-risk licence can operate a forklift.”
Trans Vent Spiral Tubing has 30 days to appeal the decision.