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Christchurch biscuit manufacturer Cookie Time today pleaded guilty to a breach of the workplace health and safety rules after a worker had her arm broken by a conveyor belt she was cleaning.
Christchurch District Court Judge Graeme Noble adjourned the case for sentencing on January 21 and asked for a victim impact statement to be obtained from the worker.
The company admitted failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of an employee while at work. The maximum penalty is $250,000.
Labour Department prosecutor Alex Leulu said the accident happened on February 27 when the woman was cleaning the conveyor belt systems after the completion of the day's packing.
She went under the conveyor which was running. Her cleaning rag was caught, then her hair, and her right arm was dragged into conveyor as she tried to pull her hair out.
"Other staff stopped the conveyor with the emergency stop when they heard her scream for help. The conveyor belt had to be cut to remove her arm." The arm had a broken radius bone.
Mr Leulu said the company should have identified the conveyor's "trapping points", isolated them by installing guards, and trained its employees about the risks.
- NZPA
