Prosecution Details

As the owner of plant, namely an apple grading machine, failed to ensure that every dangerous part of the plant was securely guarded.

On 25 June 1996 the (injured) employee was carrying out maintenance work on an apple grading machine. The employee at the time of maintenance, was wearing a heavy jumper that became entangled in the rotating drive shaft, and led to serious injuries.

The injured employee was working on the elevators drive mechanism and whilst doing so had his left arm over the drive shaft. The shaft was rotating at about 50 to 60 revolutions per minute. The drive shaft was smooth but had a build up of oil impregnated with dust around it. The employees jumper came in contact with the shaft, wrapped around the shaft and commenced to rotate the employee. The employee suffered severe injuries to his left arm and leg. There was no guard on the rotating drive shaft.
For more information see Significant Incident Summary number 14/1996.