The worker was clearing citrus from an area in the pressure washing conveyor of a fruit production line on 9 March when her clothing was caught in dangerous moving parts, pulling her into the machine.

She was airlifted to Adelaide from the Riverland with serious injuries to her arm.

SafeWork SA inspectors have attended the scene to make further inquiries.

With fruit and vegetable production lines operating year-round in the Riverland and across South Australia, SafeWork SA reminds all businesses to be aware of their Work Health and Safety (WHS) obligations and ensure that dangerous moving parts of machinery are guarded.

The cog and chain of the machine which led to the serious injury 

Under the Work, Health and Safety Act (WHS Act), businesses must ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and other persons.

This includes the provision and maintenance of safe plant and structures, including guards.

Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice defines a guard as a physical or other barrier that can perform several functions including:

• preventing contact with moving parts or controlling access to dangerous areas of plant
• screening harmful emissions, for example radiation
• minimising noise through applying sound-absorbing materials
• preventing ejected parts or off-cuts from striking people.

WHS Regulation 208 provides direction regarding types of guarding and circumstances when a person with management or control of the plant must implement guarding.

SafeWork SA Acting Executive Director Glenn Farrell said guards on machinery provide a physical barrier that is highly effective at preventing injury or death.

‘Failing to put adequate control measures in place on items of plant, such as guarding, can have significant life changing consequences for a worker,’ he said.

Further links

• Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace