Swickers Bacon Factory ordered to pay $25k fine by Kingaroy Magistrate

After exposing employees to potentially life-threatening conditions, a Kingaroy bacon giant must cough up $25,000 in fines.

Swickers Bacon Factory was ordered to pay a $25k fine.

The leaders of Queensland’s bacon industry fronted up to Kingaroy Magistrates Court after exposing multiple employees to a life threatening workplace.

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Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factory Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to failing to comply with its primary health and safety duty, exposing an individual to a risk of death or serious injury on January 27.

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The company also breached the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Swickers approved the use of acid cleaner Protexit, between March and June 2021, for employees to use in the descaling of a scalding cabin, the court was told.

Workers were instructed not to kneel when using the chemical.

The court heard Swickers provided personal protection equipment to employees, which included a poncho, goggles, breathing protection, cotton overalls, knee pads, chemical-resistant gloves, head coverings and a chemical-resistant apron.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair said the injuries could have been prevented.

The cotton overalls failed to resist Protexit absorption and on June 27 2021 an employee sustained burns to his right knee, after coming into contact with the chemical.

He washed his knee, continued working and received first aid once his shift had ended, the court was told.

The man was later admitted to hospital sustaining two partial thickness burns to his right knee and underwent a debridement procedure.

The court heard a second employee working with Protexit received two minor burns to his knees on June 28 2021.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair said the injuries could have been prevented by Swickers providing employees with the correct chemical-resistant pants.

Mr Sinclair took he took into account the nature of the injuries suffered by the two workers, the company’s record and co-operation with Work Health and Safety Queensland and their entry of an early plea.

Swickers was fined $25,000.

The Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor said the maximum fine Swickers could have faced was $1.5 million.

No convictions were recorded.

A spokesperson from the Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor said they have no further comment on this matter.

Swickers did not respond to contact for comment.

Originally published as Swickers Bacon Factory ordered to pay $25k fine by Kingaroy Magistrate