Visy Pulp and Paper Pty Ltd (Visy) has been fined $170,000 and ordered to pay WorkCover’s legal costs after two employees sustained serious burns while carrying out maintenance in 2008.
Visy is the owner of the pulp and paper mill at Tumut, west of Canberra. The mill produces recycled paper for the packaging and building industries.
On 12 February 2008 two men were carrying out maintenance on a piece of the mill’s production equipment, known as a chip meter, which melts wood chips into pulp under extreme heat and chemical exposure.
The two men were given approval to commence the maintenance before all the wood chips and chemicals had been completely removed from the equipment.
After opening the door hot steam and chemicals and wood chips ejected from the chip meter, causing serious chemical and thermal burns to both men. Neither man was wearing a chemical suit at the time.
A WorkCover investigation found that Visy had failed to provide adequate supervision, training and instruction so that the maintenance was carried out in accordance with the company’s procedures.
Although the company had a range of safety policies, Visy had failed to adequately enforce those procedures and as a result workers were seriously injured.
Visy was charged with one breach of the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2000. Visy pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined $170,000.
WorkCover’s General Manager of Work Health and Safety Division John Watson said the employees were lucky not to have been more seriously injured.
“Steps to secure the health and safety of workers in the manufacturing industry are well known,” Mr Watson said.
“This case is a reminder of the importance of ensuring that practices on the factory floor reflect safety polices and systems. The culture of safety is as important as a well-documented safety system.
“WorkCover will work with the company to ensure that the lessons of this incident are learnt for the benefit of all staff,” Mr Watson said.
