Woman’s head caught in machine

– Callan Date
A BERWICK woman suffered serious injuries after her head was caught in an unguarded machine last Friday.
The 35-year-old was working at a Braybrook bedding factory when the incident occurred about 8.15am.
She was in a stable condition after being treated for head injuries at The Alfred hospital.
WorkSafe inspectors are continuing to investigate the incident and have already issued three prohibition notices and nine improvement notices at the site.
Some of the notices related to the machine that injured the woman.
WorkSafe executive director John Merritt said the incident was another reminder of the dangers of unguarded machines.
“Business operators must understand they have well-established legal responsibilities to provide and maintain a safe workplace,” Mr Merrit said. “Guarding is one of the most basic ways to make machines safe, yet we frequently find dangerous, unguarded equipment in Victorian workplaces.
“All employers need to ensure machines in their workplaces are as safe as practicable. Dreadful injuries can be avoided.”
Casey and its residents have been involved in several workplace accidents this year.
A man was crushed to death in Narre Warren North in January when an excavator rolled off a trailer and pinned him to the ground, and a Devon Meadows man was killed in a workplace accident in February.
The 44-year-old was working at a hire yard in Dandenong South when he was struck by a machine and died.
“We urge workers and their employers to be active in making workplaces as safe as they can be,” Mr Merritt said.
“Discuss the known risks and those that can be anticipated. You don’t have to wait until tragedy strikes to make improvements.”