Company fined $7,500 after worker scalped

Wednesday 28 November 2001

The Occupational Safety and Health Service (OSH) has welcomed the sentencing of a Hastings company today after an accident where a woman was scalped by machinery.

Crasborn Packing Limited was fined $7,500 with the total fine was awarded to the injured worker.

“Judge Perkins warned that further accidents like this would result in a much higher fine and urged other Pack-house operators to take notice and be proactive in addressing hazards,” said Murray Thomson, Service Manager, Hawkes Bay, Occupational Safety and Health.

The prosecution by OSH was in relation to an accident where a worker’s hair and right hand became entangled in a rotating drive shaft situated between two conveyor belts in the packhouse.

The worker was so entangled that the Fire Service had to cut her out of the machine. She was transferred to hospital for surgery to reattach her scalp and repair the lacerations to her hand. Part of her right thumb, which was amputated, was able to be reattached.

The worker who has four young children has not returned to work.

“This savage accident had a huge impact on a worker who had been employed for just one month.

“In this case the company were found not to have taken all practicable steps to ensure that the victim had a safe working environment.

“Employees have the right to go to work and be safe. Employers must ensure that workplace hazards are identified and controlled correctly.”