Victorian poultry farm charged after worker’s death

A poultry farm near Geelong will face court after a worker was fatally crushed in a conveyor belt in March 2023.

Firefighters at the scene of a fatal incident at a Lethbridge farm, off English Road. Picture: Alan Barber

A Victorian poultry farm will face court after a worker was killed in a workplace incident almost two years ago.

WorkSafe Victoria have charged Lemitech Pty Ltd with three offences under section 26(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing to ensure that the workplace was safe and without risks to health.

In March 2023, 34-year-old Liam Harrington died after he was fatally crushed in a conveyor belt at the Lethbridge farm.

WorkSafe Victoria said Mr Harrington was working with the conveyor belt guard removed when he became entangled in the rotating components of the tail pulley.

It is alleged the Lethbridge farm failed to reduce the risk of serious injury or death by not installing a fixed guard with a viewing window on the tail pulley, in-running nip guards over the roller of the tail pulley, or a maintenance jog function to slow the conveyor when the existing guard was removed.

It is also alleged that the company failed to install a fixed guard over an in-running nip point near the tail pulley, or implement a lockout-tag out procedure to prevent the conveyor from operating during maintenance works.

The matter is listed for a filing hearing at the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, February 11.

Originally published as Victorian poultry farm charged after worker’s death