07:18 pm, Friday 10 September, 2010

The Wodonga Magistrate Court has fined a packaging company yesterday over an industrial accident involving a forklift n its Wodonga plant in 2008.

The firm pleaded guilty to failing to ensure a workplace exit was safe. It was fined $112,500 and has been put on a 12-month bond.

Magistrate John Murphy heard a woman was working at the Melrose Drive plant on December 8, 2008 when she was struck by a forklift.

She sustained serious injuries to her leg and had to undergo skin grafting and other extensive medical treatment.

The court was told the woman was wearing ear protection because of the noise of the site, while the forklift driver was going forward with a pallet of cans obstructing his view.

“It was probably a matter of good luck that this worker was not killed,” Prosecutor Trevor Wraight said.

The company’s lawyer said new traffic management plans have been put in place in its facilities, costing the firm $680,000.

Magistrate Murphy said the the plant had inadequate safety precautions when the incident took place, but added that it has acted responsibly and professionally ever since.

Report by Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know