Baling Machine Work Fraught With Danger

MEDIA RELEASE

11 March 2009
BALING MACHINE WORK FRAUGHT WITH DANGER

The Department of Labour says the serious injuries suffered by a worker at a New Plymouth recycling plant underscore the importance of having appropriate guarding for machinery and following sound safety procedures at all times.

In the New Plymouth District Court today LGG Limited, trading as Taranaki Recyclers, was fined $100,000 and ordered to pay reparation of $76,591 to the worker, Ben Hekenui.

The company was prosecuted by the Department of Labour after Mr Hekenui had his legs amputated when he fell into an automatic baler press while working at Taranaki Recyclers’ Katere Road recycling plant in April, 2008.

Working with baling machinery is potentially dangerous but injuries are not inevitable if proper procedures are followed, says Jo Ann Pugh, the Department of Labour’s New Plymouth Acting Service Manager. “Employers can prevent horrific injuries like those suffered by Mr Hekenui by installing appropriate safety guards, and by ensuring that employees know and follow correct safety procedures.”

Mr Hekenui became trapped in the baling machine while trying to clear a blocked conveyor line. Although he believed the machine had been switched off it started up automatically when he fell from the conveyor into the baler. He lost both legs in the accident — one sheared off above and the other just below the knee.

“The Department of Labour has well-tested safety guidelines for machinery safety which if followed consistently can prevent this sort of savage incident,” says Ms Pugh. “In this case safety guards were not in place, the emergency stops were inadequate and no formal safety procedures had been put in place.

“This is a particularly distressing case and it was entirely avoidable,” says Ms Pugh. She says it underscores the importance of workplace hazards being diligently monitored and proper safety procedures applied at all times.

The Department of Labour has developed general Guidelines for Guarding Principles and General Safety for Machinery. The online Hazard Handler tool helps businesses identify and manage workplace hazards. To find out more, visit: www.dol.govt.nz.

Editor’s Note

Please note that health and safety services, formerly referred to as Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) should now be referred to as the Department of Labour.

ENDS

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