A worker suffered fractures, lacerations and burns after their arm was pulled into the tail-end pulley of a conveyor system on a shell-bagging machine at a mine site.
The incident occurred while the worker was assisting with repairs to the machine. The conveyor’s guarding had been removed to allow access for the repair, but the machine was not de-energised. The worker switched it on and slipped, causing their arm to be drawn into the pulley.
Investigations revealed multiple failings:
- The conveyor wasn’t fitted with a lockout switch or emergency stop device.
- The guarding had been removed, exposing hazardous moving parts.
- The worker had not been provided with training in safe isolation procedures.
These deficiencies left the worker vulnerable to serious injury and reflected poor control of known risks.
Outcome: The company was fined $20,000.
