WorkSafe reinforces the safety message after the sawmill accident that partially severed the hand of an 18-year-old worker.

WorkSafe New Zealand has reminded employers to ensure machinery is safe for staff use after a Taranaki company was fined $ 231,000 for an accident that partially severed a worker’s hand.

Judge Chris Sygrove sentenced Taranaki Sawmills Ltd in New Plymouth District Court on Thursday.

In February 2018, an 18-year-old worker was operating a large machine when it got stuck, and when he tried to clear it, his arm was dragged towards the cutting tools.

Three fingers were amputated, along with two-thirds of the palm of his right hand, and he has not been able to return to work.

READ MORE:
* Taranaki Sawmills fined $ 231,000 after most of the man’s hand was severed.
* Paralyzed worker receives $ 400,000 from employer
* $ 130,000 fine after worker loses fingers in pet food packaging

Surgeons cut a rib to build a new index finger for the man, who is now 21 years old, as the finger had also been badly damaged.

The Bell Block-based company pleaded guilty to one count of failing to ensure a machine was safe for workers to operate in an indictment brought by WorkSafe.

Taranaki Sawmills CEO Tom Boon arranged immediate safety improvements after the accident.

He also apologized to the injured employee and acknowledged that the accident should not have occurred, the court heard.

Acting WorkSafe Chief Inspector Danielle Henry said an investigation found there were no effective guards or emergency stops at the machine in the area where the worker was trying to clear the jam.

“In this case, there was more than one location from which workers were required to operate the machine and the company had not protected the machine at each location,” Henry said.

“The manufacturing industry must prioritize the importance of risk assessment and continuous review of its controls on its agendas.”

The injured worker, who has undergone five surgeries so far and has another upcoming, read his victim impact statement in court detailing how the accident had changed his life forever.

“This injury has had a great effect on my family, who have had to take care of me and worry about me as well and now have to help with some things that I can no longer do,” he said.

“Now I think about what happened that day maybe once a week. It used to be more, but I’m trying not to think about it at all. This is difficult when I see my hand every day. “

Henry said over and over again that workers were suffering life-changing injuries as a result of operating machinery unattended and encouraged employers to take more responsibility to keep them safe.

Taranaki Sawmills was also ordered to pay $ 40,000 emotional damages relief to the victim, $ 15,000 of which had already been paid, along with $ 3292.70 for consequential losses and $ 2038.46 in costs to WorkSafe.