High cost of amputation in Victorian workplaces

A “staggering” and “unacceptable” number of Victorians have been forced to undergo amputations because of workplace incidents.

More than 150 body parts had to be amputated because of workplace accidents in Victoria, claims data from 2022 has revealed - a chilling total branded as “staggering” and “unacceptable” by WorkSafe.

Workers’ fingers and thumbs were most commonly severed – at least 127 in total –

prompting a warning from WorkSafe about the dangers of machinery.

Fingers and thumbs are often injured in workplace accidents.

About one third of the digits lost were either caught or crushed in machinery or cut by a saw.

An analysis of the 137 claims for workplace amputation injuries last year revealed the shocking toll that can lead to life-changing injuries.

The manufacturing sector was the most dangerous industry, comprising 45 per cent of claims, followed by construction (15 per cent).

Legal action taken by WorkSafe led to $256,094 in fines and court costs from in eight prosecutions last year after workers had body parts amputated. Another nine cases of alleged breaches remain before the courts.

Machinery can be dangerous to fingers in the manufacturing industry.

WorkSafe health and safety executive director Narelle Beer said bosses have to

do more to ensure their staff were safe from the dangers of unsafe work practices.

“The staggering number of workers who have lost limbs and digits from preventable

incidents is simply unacceptable,” Dr Beer said.

“No one should suffer such horrific, life-changing injuries at work.

“Employers need to make sure safety guards are fixed to machines at all times, and that

staff are appropriately trained and supervised to undertake all tasks safely.’’

WorkSafe said all machinery had to properly guarded and operated safely to avoid injury risk.

Labourers were the most at-risk occupation, followed by tradies, production workers and transport drivers.

In recent cases, a cheese factory in Heidelberg was fined $50,000 in June after two workers lost fingers to the revolving blades of a blender on separate occasions in 2019.

Also in June, timber manufacturer Australian Sustainable Hardwoods in Heyfield was

fined $30,000 after a worker lost four toes when his foot became stuck in a conveyor motor when he tried to load a timber board on to a conveyor belt.

The court heard the motor had no guard.