A major recycling company in Australia, Visy, has been penalized with a substantial fine of $375,000 by SafeWork NSW following a tragic incident at one of its Sydney sites. The accident involved an employee, Zoran Stojanovski, whose leg was crushed by an oncoming trolley car, leading to the necessity of surgically amputating his leg below the knee.
This devastating outcome was the result of Visy’s failure to address safety concerns raised by inspectors six months before the incident. Despite being aware of the risks associated with crush and pinch points between trolley cars and conveyor corners, the company did not implement the necessary solutions to mitigate these dangers.
SafeWork NSW stressed the importance of separating mobile plant such as trolley cars from workers to prevent similar accidents in the future. The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need for companies to prioritize workplace safety and promptly address identified risks to ensure the well-being of their employees.
