Lochert Bros Pty Ltd fined $129,000 after worker’s arm gets trapped in unguarded machine

A mother who heard her terrified daughter’s screams ran to her aid after her arm got trapped in a machine at a Riverland fruit packing business.

A Riverland fruit packing business has been fined after young worker’s mother sprinted to help her after her arm became trapped in a machine.

Lochert Bros Pty Ltd was sentenced in the South Australian Employment Tribunal earlier this month following a SafeWork SA investigation.

During sentencing, the tribunal heard a 22 year old female grader operator was working at the Ramco company on March 9, 2023.

She attempted to clear a blockage in the pressure washer after a few oranges became stuck at the top of the feed ramp by reaching into the machine.

When doing so, the sleeve of her jacket became caught in the pinch point of the motorised chain and sprocket and her left arm was pulled into the machine.

Lochert Bros Pty Ltd was fined $129,000 after a young worker’s arm became trapped in unguarded machine. Photo: File

The worker was unable to reach the emergency stop control and immediately yelled out for help.

Another worker – the injured worker’s mother – ran to her aid from 40m away and shut off the machine.

The worker’s arm was trapped in the pressure washer until paramedics arrived.

She was initially taken to Waikerie Hospital for treatment and was later flown to Adelaide for surgery.

The court heard the worker went undergone three surgeries and a skin graft to repair the “extensive and severe” degloving injury but has since returned to work at Lochert Bros.

The company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the safety of the worker and breaching a safety duty to provide an accessible emergency stop control.

The court heard the company had spent more than $250,000 on safety upgrades at the workplace since the incident and voluntarily paid the worker $20,000.

In his sentencing remarks, Deputy President Lieschke the company’s safety improvements were much overdue.

“A serious injury was readily foreseeable and increasingly likely over time,” he said.

“It is unknown how (the worker) would likely have fared if her mother had not heard her.”

Deputy President Lieschke recorded a conviction against Lochert Bros and imposed a total fine of $129,000 fine.

SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell said the incident could easily have been avoided if the company had ensured the pressure washer was appropriately guarded and the emergency stop control within easy reach.

“It should not take an injury to a worker to trigger an employer’s responsibilities and for them to take action,” he said.

“Businesses who utilise machinery in the workplace must have effective measures in place to prevent a person from coming into contact with moving parts.

“Those that don’t are putting lives at risk and neglecting worker safety.”

Originally published as Lochert Bros Pty Ltd fined $129,000 after worker’s arm gets trapped in unguarded machine