A NSW farm owner has been fined $21,000 after a grain auger was found being used without appropriate safety mechanisms in place. The prosecution followed an incident on 28 July 2023, when a grain auger, known as a pencil auger, was found in use without the appropriate safety mechanisms, including a guard, in place. The farm owner pleaded guilty to an offence under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 for failing to comply with the duty to workers.

The Industrial Court of NSW convicted Ms Coates and imposed a $21,000 fine following the SafeWork NSW prosecution. The Court also made an adverse publicity order requiring Ms Coates to publish a notice in The Land containing details of the incident and conviction.

The Risks of Unguarded Machinery

SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer said the controls for managing risks associated with moving plant and fixed machinery are well known and described injuries involving fixed machinery as preventable hazards seen across industries.

Machinery such as augers can expose workers to moving parts and other serious hazards if appropriate guarding and safe systems of work are not in place.

The Lesson for Farms

Machinery that has been used on a farm for years still needs to be checked to make sure its safety controls are in place and doing their job.

Before plant and machinery is used, check that guards and other safety mechanisms are fitted and working, identify the risks associated with operating, cleaning and maintaining the equipment, and make sure workers understand the procedures they need to follow.

If a guard or safety control is missing, damaged or no longer effective, deal with it before the equipment goes back into use.

Familiar machinery can still cause serious harm. Being used every day doesn’t make it safe by default.

Concerns About Machinery Safety on Your Farm?

Speak with a ProcessWorxAg Safety Advisor on (08) 9316 9896 or get in touch for support reviewing your plant and machinery risks and safety controls.