WorkSafe charges Lemitech Pty Ltd over 2023 death of Liam Harrington
The operator of a Lethbridge chicken farm has been charged over the death of a man who became entangled in a conveyor belt in 2023.
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A Lethbridge chicken farm operator has been charged by the state’s workplace health and safety watchdog over the conveyor belt death of a worker in 2023.
Liam Harrington, 34, was working with the conveyor belt guard removed when he became entangled in the rotating components of the tail pulley on March 21, 2023.
WorkSafe has charged the farm’s operator, Lemitech Pty Ltd, with three charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act related to failing to ensure a workplace was safe and without risks to health.
The watchdog alleges Lemitech failed to reduce the risk of serious injury or death by not installing three components – a fixed guard with a viewing window on the tail pulley, in-running nip guards over the roller of the tail pulley, or a maintenance jog function to slow the conveyor when the existing guard was removed.
It is also alleged that the company failed to install a fixed guard over an in-running nip point near the tail pulley, or implement a lockout-tag out procedure to prevent the conveyor from operating during maintenance works.
Mr Harrington was remembered as a warm-hearted man with an infectious love of life by heartbroken friends and family at a memorial service following the accident.
Sporting clubs including East Belmont were among those who paid tribute to the 34-year-old.
Lemitech Pty Ltd will face court on Tuesday for a filing hearing.
According to ASIC documents, Lemitech Pty Ltd was first registered in March 1983 and has operated under its current name since April 1990.
The company’s director is listed as 67-year-old Jovan Lemic.
Since 2013, Lemitech’s principal place of business has been the English Rd property in Lethbridge, although ASIC documents list the company’s registered address being in Yarra St, Geelong.
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Originally published as WorkSafe charges Lemitech Pty Ltd over 2023 death of Liam Harrington
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