In a recent decision, a Victorian paper manufacturer was fined $30,000 and ordered to pay $10,000 in costs for failing to implement a safe system to prevent an obvious risk of entanglement with moving parts of a machine (WorkSafe Victoria v Paper Australia Pty Ltd [2025]). 

Paper Australia Pty Ltd manufactures and distributes paper. As part of the manufacturing process, a machine is used to essentially cut large rolls of paper into smaller rolls. Two people are needed to operate these machines – an operator and an assistant operator. The assistant’s role is based at the end of the machine where the ‘slitter blocks’ and partially guarded ‘slitter knives’ were located (the danger zone). When loading a new roll of paper into the machine, the assistant was required to thread the rolls through both the rollers and the danger zone. After threading, the assistant would engage the slitter knives to start the cutting process, and then move outside and lock the plant gating to prevent physical access. 

The machine often experienced jams, which the assistant cleared by hand. However, operators were trained to clear jams while the machines were still rotating at full speed (2000 metres per minute) and as a result, there was a high risk of serious injury if an assistant’s hand or arm made contact with the machinery. While some assistants would slow down the rotation speed in fear of injury, others would not.

In January 2023, the assistant was attempting to thread a new roll through the danger zone when the paper jammed. In attempting to resolve the jam, the assistant reached towards the danger zone when the rollers were still rotating and made contact with one of the slitter blocks, causing significant injury.

The company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that there was a system whereby:

• the slitter blocks would be switched off at the plant control panel; and
• the slitter blocks be wound down to a stop before workers could enter the gated area of the plant.