The Case

WHSQ v Watkins Steel Pty Ltd (2022)

On 6 October 2020, a third-year apprentice worker employed by Watkins Steel was cutting the flange off a section of steel universal beam using a grinder. Once that task was completed, he commenced cleaning mill scale from the end of the beam even though he had not been asked to do this work on this occasion, or at any time by the employer. The worker, who was 20 years old, thought this task needed to be done to achieve the required finish. As he operated the grinder, it got caught on the beam and kicked-back, causing a laceration to his groin. He was not wearing a leather apron at the time.