Slashing Contractor Fined After Fatal Workplace Incident

WHS News

Slashing Contractor Fined After Fatal Workplace Incident

A slashing contractor has been fined $30,000 after a man was fatally struck by metal debris ejected from a slasher during vegetation clearing work at Salisbury Plain.

Guy Warren Jackson, a sole trader trading as Jacksons Slashing, was sentenced in the South Australian Employment Court on 23 July 2026 following a SafeWork SA investigation. He pleaded guilty to a Category 2 offence under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 for failing to comply with a health and safety duty owed to a bystander.

What happened
On 5 October 2023, Mr Jackson was engaged to carry out slashing works at a property in Salisbury Plain. While he operated a tractor-mounted slasher, a 79-year-old man and another bystander remained near the work area clearing weeds around an entrance gate.

A piece of metal debris was ejected from the machine and struck the man in the head. He suffered catastrophic brain injuries and later died in hospital.

Investigation findings
SafeWork SA’s investigation established that Mr Jackson was aware of the risk of debris being thrown from the slasher. He had identified the hazard in his own safety policy documents, which required operations to cease if a person came within 30 metres of the machine.

The manufacturer’s manual and warning labels specified a danger zone of up to 100 metres and warned that debris could be ejected at speeds exceeding 300 km/h. At the time of the incident, the bystander was approximately five metres from the operating slasher.

The court found that Mr Jackson had failed to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, that people were not exposed to health and safety risks arising from the work he was carrying out.

Sentencing remarks
Deputy President Lieschke stated that the lethal incident could easily have been prevented if Mr Jackson had followed his own safety policy or the manufacturer’s warnings.

“The defendant knew that the risk of operating the slasher so close to people included potentially very serious injuries up to death,” Deputy President Lieschke said.

“Instead, the defendant took no safety precautions on the day.
“Prevention measures were simple; they did not require any technical expertise.”

The court assessed the offending as warranting a fine of $100,000. This was reduced by 40 per cent for the early guilty plea and contrition, and further reduced having regard to the defendant’s financial means and the statutory requirement to prioritise compensation to the victim. The final fine imposed was $30,000.
Mr Jackson was also ordered to pay compensation of $19,967 for funeral expenses and a Victim of Crime levy of $424.

Key message from SafeWork SA
SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell described the incident as a completely preventable tragedy.

“The risks associated with slashing operations are well known.
People should never be allowed to remain near operating slashing equipment.
Effective exclusion zones and clear communication with anyone at or near a worksite are critical and simple controls.
This prosecution is a reminder to all operators and businesses that safety procedures must be followed in practice, not simply documented.”

Lessons for workplaces and contractors
This case highlights several important WHS principles:

• Documented safety policies are of little value if they are not followed on the day.
• Manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels regarding exclusion zones must be respected.
• The risks of high-speed debris ejection from slashers and similar equipment are well known and can result in fatal injuries.
• Simple controls — establishing and enforcing effective exclusion zones, communicating clearly with bystanders or other workers, and stopping work when people enter the danger area — can prevent serious and fatal incidents.
• Duties under the WHS Act extend not only to workers but also to other persons who may be affected by the work being carried out.

At Paragon WHS, we urge all contractors and businesses involved in vegetation management, agricultural work, or the operation of slashers and similar plant to review their exclusion zone procedures, ensure workers and bystanders are kept well clear of operating equipment, and confirm that documented safety controls are consistently applied in practice.

If your organisation needs support developing practical exclusion zone controls, reviewing plant safety procedures, or strengthening overall WHS compliance, contact the Paragon WHS team for guidance.