Worker dragged into threading machine results in $50k fine

A reinforced steel fabricator has been convicted and fined $50,000 after a worker suffered serious injuries when he was entangled in a threading machine at a Sunshine North factory.

Nexsa was sentenced in the Sunshine Magistrates Court on 7 August after pleading guilty to a single charge of failing to provide or maintain a plant that was safe for their employees without risks to health.

In July of 2022, the worker was threading a length of reinforced steel bar when the left sleeve of his work clothes became caught. The worker was then dragged into the machine, which was operating at its maximum speed of 100 RPM. The machine was designed to continue running until the stop button was pressed.

A colleague who was nearby heard a loud banging noise and noticed that the worker had been flipped over the machine – which was continuing to run – onto the floor, and his arm was twisted backwards around the reinforced bar that was being threaded.

The colleague ran over and stopped the machine from running. He then used a grinder to cut through the reinforced steel bar to release the worker.

Sadly, the worker sustained a variety of horrific injuries. He sustained a broken leg, broken forearm, dislocated elbow, broken ribs, and multiple lacerations to his forehead, eye, and ear. The worker underwent two surgeries and spent a significant amount of time residing in the hospital to recover from his injuries.

The investigation from WorkSafe found the machine was one of the five identical items of the plant at the workplace, none of which were fitted with guarding to prevent access to the rotating parts.

WorkSafe executive director of health and safety Sam Jenkin said the serious injury suffered by the worker should not have been allowed to happen.

“Our investigation revealed that there had been at least one previous similar incident of a worker becoming caught in a threading machine at this workplace that thankfully did not result in an injury,” said Jenkin.

“The company was well aware of the risk and had ample opportunity to install the necessary guarding to protect their workers but failed to do so.”

Because of this, the court heard that it was reasonably practicable for the company, Nexsa, to reduce the risk by installing an interlocked guarding to cover the machine’s moving parts, including any protruding end of the reinforced steel bar; a hold-to-run foot pedal control with an overpressure switch; and an emergency stop button.

Along with the $50,000 fine, the company was also ordered to pay $4,918 in costs.

Kace O'Neill

Kace O'Neill is a Graduate Journalist for HR Leader. Kace studied Media Communications and Maori studies at the University of Otago, he has a passion for sports and storytelling.