BOTH sides of the workplace safety spectrum were in evidence this week, with some Perth businesses recognised at the 2009 Work Safety Awards WA, while others received large fines for unsafe work practices.
Cannington-based printing company Crystal Printing Solutions was fined $36,000 in the Perth Magistrate’s Court after pleading guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment after an employee had part of her finger amputated.
In April 2007, during a maintenance check, the employee removed side panels on a numbering, perforating and cutting machine, exposing the drive chains and cogs.
However, the machine was not isolated and the woman’s left-hand middle finger became caught in the exposed drive chain and cog after she inadvertently turned the machine on.
WorkSafe WA commissioner Nina Lyne said the case illustrated the importance of training workers properly.
In another case, Laurence Victor Shrigley, trading as Shrigley Drilling Contractors, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure a safe workplace after an incident in May 2006 in which he received an electric shock and another man sustained burns.
The incident occurred when a drilling rig mast came into contact with high voltage power lines at a worksite at Eneabba.
The Perth Magistrate’s Court heard that no formal pre-start meeting had been held before the work commenced, and that no directions were given for the work, with the exception of where the holes were to be placed.
Both companies were unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.
Meanwhile, West Perth-based psychiatric hospital, Perth Clinic, and Wooroloo-based pork abattoir, PPC Linley Valley Fresh, were among six winners at the work safety awards over the weekend, recognised as examples of excellent workplace innovations and occupational safety and health systems being developed in WA.
Perth Clinic won the award for best safety and health management system in the private sector, while PPC, part of the Craig Mostyn Group, won the award for best solution to a workplace safety and health issue.
The businesses, along with the Public Transport Authority of WA, Joondalup Lotteries House Inc, University of WA’s Rob Greenhalgh and Badge Constructions’ Gerard Overdijk, will be entered into the national Safe Work Australia awards.
