A cold chain logistics company in Victoria has agreed to spend $293,000 under an enforceable undertaking to improve health and safety outcomes after a worker’s leg was caught in a conveyor belt and crushed by a one-tonne pallet.

The company, Newcold Melbourne No.2, entered into the enforceable undertaking while facing charges of failing to provide and maintain safe plant, failing to provide a safe system of work, and failing to provide necessary information, instruction, training and supervision.

In September 2021, a worker was trying to move a pallet that was obstructing a pedestrian crossover point on the automated conveyor belt at the company’s warehouse in Truganina.

The pallet knocked the worker when the conveyor belt suddenly started moving, causing his foot to slip and become trapped in an opening between two rollers. The worker fell backwards and the pallet rolled over his leg, crushing it.

WorkSafe Victoria alleged it was reasonably practicable for the company to install a system that allowed workers to stop the conveyor belt at pedestrian crossover points, including warnings and visual alarms, or to provide a safe system for crossing over the conveyor, including isolating the plant and confirming that the belt had stopped moving before crossing.

It was also necessary for the company to provide employees with information, instruction and training about the risks of crossing a conveyor belt and how to do so safely, including if a crossover point was blocked, as well as supervision to ensure employees isolate the conveyor before accessing.

The estimated $293,012 undertaking requires the company to:

• Install security access gates at crossover points to limit access to workers who have been trained in the crossover requirements.
• Engage an occupational physician to complete a study on the impacts of working in low oxygen environments, with recommendations to minimise the physical and psychological effects of working in hypoxic conditions.
• Donate $30,000 to the OHS Body of Knowledge to deliver benefits to the industry and community.

WorkSafe Victoria executive director health and safety, Sam Jenkin, reminded duty holders of their obligation to do all they can to keep workers safe when working with or near machinery.

“Working around machinery is often high risk and it’s critical that duty holders not only ensure that plant and systems for using it are safe, but that all workers have the training, instruction and supervision needed to reduce these risks,” Jenkin said.

“This company’s investment in knowledge for the broader cold chain logistics industry and to further its own safety systems and processes will provide tangible benefits that could help prevent similar incidents in the future.”