Toowoomba Firewood Pty Ltd in court for allegedly failing its duty of care

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has accused a Toowoomba company of failing its duty of care following a grotesque workplace incident. Full report and shocking photos here.

Jay Mobbs, 31, said he had been two hours into a job trial at family-owned business Toowoomba Firewood when his right hand was sandwiched between a machine and a log. Pictures: Supplied and Liam Kidston

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has laid charges against a family-owned Toowoomba firewood business, following an incident in 2022 that left a worker’s hand crushed.

Months after the incident, injured worker Jay Mobbs told TheCourier-Mail he was hours into his first shift when his hand became sandwiched between a machine and a log.

Jay Mobbs, 31, said he nearly lost his hand in a workplace injury at Toowoomba. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I thought I’d chopped my fingers off,” Mr Mobbs said.

The 31-year-old described his hand as a mangled mess, which required surgery and about 50 stitches.

Queensland father Jay Mobb said he nearly lost a hand when it was crushed by a log splitter.

The company, Toowoomba Firewood Pty Ltd, has now been charged with failing to comply with its health and safety duty, failing to ensure the regulating body was notified of an incident, and failing its duty to preserve an incident site.

When the case was mentioned for a second time in late February 2024, Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told a mountain of evidence had been compiled by WPHS.

Solicitor Brad Skuse appeared on behalf of Toowoomba Firewood director Timothy Middleton.

Mr Skuse told the court he was seeking a three week adjournment to obtain his client’s final instructions.

“The brief is available… (and) can be forwarded electronically,” he said.

X-ray of Jay Mobbs injured hand that was crushed by a log splitter in a workplace incident.

Magistrate Louise Shephard asked Workplace Health and Safety representative Sarah Lio-Willie if an outstanding expert report was included in the brief.

Ms Lio-Willie confirmed the report was included, along with 16 witness statements and 66 exhibits.

She said that given the size of the evidence file, she would not be opposed to a longer adjournment to give lawyers more time to review the evidence.

Ms Shephard said she would allow five weeks rather than the three, and scheduled the matter to next be mentioned before the court on April 12.