Syntec Diamond Tools International fined after worker loses finger in workplace incident

A worker was given a single day of training for a welder before he lost a finger in a workplace accident – and his employer has learned its fate for the incident.

A worker who was given a single day of training on a welding machine suffered a crush injury which resulted in the loss of a finger – and his employer has been fined.

Michael Flitcroft was using a capacitor discharge welder – which welds components together between two sections of anvil using an electrical charge – when he suffered the injury at Syntec Diamond Tools International the day after he received training.

He was performing a maintenance task – required after every 40 welds – in May 2021 when the machine crushed the middle and ring fingers on his right hand.

His middle finger failed to heal and was later partially amputated and he was “unable to work at all for more than a year”.

Syntec pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to provide a safe system of work.

In a recently published judgment, South Australian Employment Tribunal deputy president Magistrate Katherine Eaton said “it appears most likely” that Mr Flitcroft had “inadvertently leaned on the start button with either his left hand or elbow” after a guard had been unknowingly deactivated.

“The lack of attention to administrative risk controls was a significant failing which resulted in a serious injury and permanent harm to a worker,” she said.

“I consider that the offending was serious.”

Ms Eaton said Syntec had made a number of adjustments to the machine after a similar, uncharged incident in 2019 including adding plexiglass light guards which could only be deactivated by a password known to four managers at the Glossop workshop.

When Mr Flitcroft arrived at work the welder was on but not functioning, and the tribunal found that while other staff were fixing the issue the light guard setting was turned off.

“Mr Flitcroft unknowingly started working on the (welding machine) without the protection of the light guard,” Ms Eaton said.

She found there was no pre-start check for the machinery at the time which would have alerted the operator that the light guard was not functioning.

Ms Eaton noted Syntec immediately reported the incident, modified the welder to ensure the guard could not be bypassed and co-operated with the SafeWork SA investigation.

Syntec supported Mr Flitcroft’s return to work and have employed a full time health and safety manager.

“The investment that Syntec has now made to improve safety in its workplaces in my opinion goes above meeting minimum requirements and demonstrates a commitment to prioritise work health and safety in its operations since the offence and into the future,” she said.

She imposed a conviction and $100,000 fine which was reduced to $60,000 due to the company’s early guilty plea. Syntec was also ordered to pay costs.

Originally published as Syntec Diamond Tools International fined after worker loses finger in workplace incident