21 Jan 2015

Machine safety 'not rocket science'

6:59 pm on 21 January 2015

WorkSafe is urging firms to ensure they maintain machinery safety equipment after a worker's hand was caught in a roller.

An Alsco NZ laundry worker's hand was fractured and burnt in March last year after the firm removed safety guards that could have prevented the incident.

The company was today fined almost $40,000 and ordered to pay $7500 in reparation at the Nelson District Court.

WorkSafe chief investigator Keith Stewart said companies needed to ensure they maintained machinery.

"It's not rocket science. If a machine's got some moving parts that can trap and injure people, then there should be some guarding in place to prevent people from accessing those parts while it's in operation," he said.

"More important and relevant in this case - if the machine comes with guards built in, then use them."

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