On Monday, October 27, the Mildura Magistrates’ Court heard Mildura Fruit Company had entered into an enforceable undertaking while facing two charges of failing to ensure a workplace under its control was safe and without risks to health.

WorkSafe may reinstate the charges if the undertaking is contravened.

In July 2023, a worker was cleaning on and around several machines in operation at the company’s Mildura factory, including sweeping up fruit that had dropped off nearby conveyors.

The worker noticed some fruit had become caught between the conveyor belt and a bar running across it, and attempted to dislodge it — first using a squeegee and then his gloved left hand.

The glove was caught between the moving conveyor belt and the bar, causing injuries to his middle and pointer fingers.

WorkSafe alleged the company failed to use engineering controls that prevented access to moving plant and failed to devise and implement a lock-out tag-out procedure to ensure the plant was not operating during cleaning.

The estimated $340,000 undertaking requires the company to:

WorkSafe chief health and safety officer Sam Jenkin said employers were responsible for protecting staff from the risks of machinery, including conveyor belts and forklifts.

To manage risks when working with machinery, employers should:

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Thursday, 20th January 2028

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