Visy workplace accident: Packaging giant cops heavy fine after Smithfield ... trends now
One of Australia's biggest packaging and recycling companies has been slapped with a whopping fine after a worker's ankle was crushed and later amputated due to a horror workplace accident.
Visy Board Pty Limited (Visy) was fined $375,000 after the NSW District Court handed down its findings earlier this month.
Grandfather Zoran Stojanovski was working on a conveyor at the company's Smithfield worksite in Sydney's south-west in June 2020 when he unknowingly stepped into the path of a trolley car.
His left ankle was crushed after it became trapped between the trolley car and conveyor.
Visy was fined $375,000 when the NSW District Court recently handed down its findings
'At that time Mr Stojanovski was wearing hearing protection and could not hear the trolley car's audible alarm over the noise of the corrugator and other plant in the area,' the judgment states.
'Further, the audible alarm was not loud on the northern side of the trolley car.'
Mr Stojanovski underwent multiple surgeries to his left ankle and foot which eventually couldn't be saved.
His leg was amputated below the knee after he suffered an infection.
A risk assessment carried out at the Smithfield worksite six months prior raised concerns regarding 'crush/pinch points between edge of trolley car and conveyors corners', according to SafeWork NSW.
The authority claimed that solutions provided were not implemented, despite Visy acknowledging the risk was 'unacceptable' and 'patently obvious'.
The court also heard in great detail the 'substantial' injury, emotional harm, loss and damage caused to Mr Stojanovski.
He suffered anxiety attacks, lost interest in all previous hobbies and activities, and often had uncontrollable anger which sometimes
