Manufacturing company fined over workplace injury

A Hamilton manufacturing company was fined $42,000 after a worker was injured by unguarded machinery last October.

The Hamilton District Court heard that on October 7, 2011 an employee of Proform Plastics Limited was using a computer controlled router machine to trim tailgates.

The incident occurred when a tailgate jammed in the machine. Believing that it had stopped completely, the worker reached across to cut the tailgate free using a grinder.

When the blade of the machine suddenly began moving again, the worker's arm was cut, causing minor injuries.

"This man is extremely lucky to have sustained only minor injuries. The outcome could have been much worse," said Department of Labour (DoL) spokeswoman Ona De Rooy.

"All too often we see preventable deaths and injuries resulting from poorly guarded machinery and the lack of associated safety procedures.

"This accident could have been avoided entirely if Proform Plastics had put in place adequate guarding and interlocking devices to ensure the safety of its workers."

The DoL launched a three-year project in 2010, focussing on reducing injury and harm caused by poorly guarded machinery.

"There is no excuse for preventable injuries happening at work," said Ms De Rooy.

Proform Plastics Limited were charged under Section Six of the Health and Safety in Employment Act for failing to ensure workplace safety.

A representative of Proform Plastics declined requests for comment.