A steel fabricator has been fined $50,000 after a worker was pulled into a machine.

Melbourne steel fabricator Nexsa Pty Ltd has been fined $50,000 following a workplace incident that left an employee with severe injuries after being caught in a threading machine. The company was sentenced at the Sunshine Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to failing to ensure their machinery was safe for use.

The incident occurred in July 2022 when a worker's left sleeve became entangled in a threading machine while he was threading a length of reinforced steel bar. 

The machine, running at its maximum speed of 100 RPM, continued operating until it was manually stopped by a colleague who had heard a loud bang. 

The colleague found the worker flipped over the machine, his arm twisted unnaturally around the steel bar. The machine was immediately stopped, and the worker was freed by cutting through the bar with a grinder.

The worker sustained multiple injuries, including a broken leg, broken forearm, dislocated elbow, broken ribs, and lacerations to his face. He underwent two surgeries and required an extended hospital stay to recover.

An investigation by WorkSafe revealed that the factory had five identical machines, none of which were equipped with safety guards to prevent access to rotating parts. 

The court was told that Nexsa could have easily mitigated the risk by installing interlocked guarding, foot pedal controls, and an emergency stop button.

“Our investigation revealed that there had been at least one previous similar incident of a worker becoming caught in a threading machine at this workplace that thankfully did not result in an injury,” said Sam Jenkin, WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety.

“The company was well aware of the risk and had ample opportunity to install the necessary guarding to protect their workers but failed to do so.”

In addition to the fine, Nexsa Pty Ltd was ordered to pay $4,918 in legal costs.