1 min read

Worker suffers serious facial injuries from angle grinder kickback

WorkSafe Victoria v Bonaccord Ingram Co Pty Ltd (2019)

Facts

Bonaccord Ingram Co Pty Ltd (the Company) operated a vegetable production and logistics company in Victoria. As part of maintenance work at one of the Company’s sites, workers were required to operate angle grinders, which carried a high risk of serious injury due to the possibility of the grinders kicking back and striking the operator.

Consequently, in December 2017, a worker suffered a serious laceration and a broken jaw when an angle grinder he was operating kicked back into his face.

Judgment

The Company pleaded guilty and the Bairnsdale Magistrate’s Court imposed a fine of $20,000 and costs of $3,620. However, the Company was not convicted.

Lessons

Employers must be vigilant in ensuring they appropriately prepare for, and provide, a safe system of work for workers to follow. Where a high-risk activity has been identified, you should take all possible steps to eliminate or minimise the risk to the health and safety of a worker. In this respect, the employer failed to take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of serious injury to the operator of an angle grinder, which was a known risk.

Please note: Case law is reported as correct and current at time of publishing. Be aware that cases in lower courts may be appealed and decisions subsequently overturned.

Subscribe to the Health & Safety Bulletin

From the experts behind the Health & Safety Handbook, the Bulletin brings you the latest work health and safety news, legal updates, case law and practical advice straight to your inbox every week.

Sending confirmation email...
Great! Now check your inbox and click the link to confirm your subscription.
Please enter a valid email address!