WorkSafe prosecution generates over half a million for charities

21 May 2010

A WorkSafe Victoria prosecution has generated over half a million dollars for charities and emergency services - including $230,000 towards LaTrobe Valley rescue helicopter Helimed One.

Traralgon-based company Jelfor Treated Timbers Pty Ltd and company director Maxwell Jelleff pleaded guilty in the LaTrobe Valley Court yesterday, following a 2008 incident where a 40 year-old worker became entangled in an unguarded post-peeler.

His Honour Magistrate Vandersteen convicted the company and ordered it to pay $230,000 to Helimed One and $230,000 to the court fund.

Mr Jelleff was released without conviction and ordered to pay $40,000 to the Royal Children’s Hospital and $40,000 to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Australia.

“It’s rare that something positive can come out of a situation where a worker is needlessly injured – but that’s what happened yesterday,” Acting Executive Director for Health and Safety Stan Krpan said.

“Disappointingly, the post-peeler in which this worker became entangled – suffering life-changing injuries - could have been safely guarded for about $5,000.

“Instead of putting this guarding in place, the company chose to ignore the risks. This meant workers operating the machinery had to expose themselves to moving parts, like drive chains and rotating blades, in order to do their job.

“This offending was made even worse because there was at least one previous incident where a worker had become entangled in machinery, so the company knew the risks,” he said.

The 2008 incident occurred when the worker became entangled while feeding a pine post into the peeler, sustaining injuries including the amputation of his left arm, a fractured skill, punctured lung, broken ribs, and a dislocated right arm.

The LaTrobe Valley Court heard that the injured worker, who was originally employed by the company as a general hand, had inadequate training on the post peeler.

Workers needing to gain access to the peeler had to crouch down and pass under an unguarded operating conveyor with exposed drive chains, sprockets and rollers.