WA Timber mill fined $60k over severed hand

A Western Australia timber mill operator has been fined $60,000 for failing to adequately secure its machinery.

A Western Australia timber mill operator has been fined $60,000 for failing to adequately secure its machinery.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said Pinetec Ltd could have avoided a 2006 accident, which resulted in a worker's hand and thumb being severed, if it had appropriate controls over access to the machinery.

“Pinetec should have ensured that its employees understood the importance of safe work with this machine and provided training and instruction about how to use the machine,” said Lynhe.

“Further steps could also have been taken, such as a time-delay mechanism or a key-lock system on the door into the enclosed area where the machine was located."

Pinetec was fined on 29 January.

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