Prosecutions 2005 (PDF 3269kb) - WorkSafe Victoria

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROSECUTIONS
TIMBERTRUSS PTY LTD
Date of offence: 21 January 2004
Date of prosecution:
Magistrate:
Plea:
13 July 2005 at Geelong Magistrates’ Court
His Honour Magistrate Mornane
Guilty
On 21 January 2004, an employee of Timbertruss Pty Ltd was assembling roof trusses in the
‘hydra-press’ area of the factory. The truss required modification and he marked the truss and took
it to a drop saw.
When the employee attempted to cut the truss, the drop saw’s plastic guard hit the wood and the
saw blade would not go down further. The employee lifted and lowered the saw blade using the
handle, but the guard remained jammed. The employee then released the saw trigger and the blade
appeared to stop moving. In an attempt to release the jammed guard, the employee hit it with his
left hand. When he did so, the guard was released and his hand slipped onto the saw blade.
The saw was used by staff most days and had been at the site for approximately three months prior
to the incident. The employee had, on a couple of previous occasions, told his team leader that the
plastic guard on the drop saw was catching, but it was not repaired. Other staff who used the drop
saw were also aware that its guard was catching and had reported the fault.
The employee suffered cuts to his left index, middle and ring fingers.
Breach: Sections 21(1) & (2)(a) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1985.
Result: Convicted and fined $20,000.
PROSECUTIONS 2005
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