Mill safety procedures tightened

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 15, 8 September 1987, Page 12

Mill safety procedures tightened

Further safety measures have been introduced following two injury accidents at the Karioi Pulp Mill earlier this year. In the Ohakune District Court last month Winstone Pulp Industries Ltd pleaded guilty to two charges brought by the Department of Labour under the Industrial Machinery Act (1950). The case was heard by Judge PJ. Toomey of Palmerston North. The first charge was that, being the owner of machinery, namely a lifting table, did fail to securely fence the transmission machinery of the said lifting table, namely the roller drive chains and sprockets thereof on 1 March 1987 did thereby cause injury to Andrew Condon, an employee of the Winstone Pulp Mill at Karioi. Court heard how Andrew Condon, a finishing line operator, had been examining the tension on the transmission drive chains when his middle finger was dragged in and amputated to the first joint. The second charge was that, being the owner of machinery, namely a chain conveyor, did fail to securely fence a dangerous part of the said machinery, namely the lower in-run-ning nip of the said chain conveyor on 3 March 1987, did thereby cause injury to Conrad Gray, an employee of the Winstone Pulp Mill at Karioi. Court heard how Conrad Gray, a fitter, had had his little and middle finger amputated to the first joint and his ring finger amputated to the second joint when he was investigating a hydraulic leak under a bale stacker. The machine,

which had been switched to manual from automatic at the time so that this investigation could be carried out, was accidentally switched on to automatic by another employee who was unaware of the check being made. Mill manager, Mr Kit Wilson, explained to the Court through counsel, that despite the plea of guilty, there had been safety procedures in place at the mill at the time which, if followed in all respects, would have avoided the chance of accidental injury. The 'hold-card' switch system was described whereby only the person who, had placed the card' over the switch which isolated the power from the machinery, was permitted to remove it unless authorisation was obtained from a member of the MilTs safety committee. This 'hold-card' system was not followed in accordance with mill safety procedures in one of the cases outlined in the charges before the Court. In the other case it was pointed out that the Mill was visited regularly by inspectors from the De-

partment of Labour and, prior to the accident, no recommendation had been made as to the fitting of a guard over the machinery in question. A guard has since been installed and further lectures on safety procedures have been given to all employees. The Mill has a very active safety committee, Court was told. In his summing up Judge Toomey said that safety procedures are designed and in place to protect all company employees from injury. "However no statutory provision can be made to prevent workers from failing to observe these safety procedures." In both the cases before the Court, this failure to observe the procedures set out by the company, was deemed to be a contributing factor towards the accidents. Winstone Pulp Industries Ltd was convicted and fined $300, court costs $55 on each charge. Counsel for the Department of Labour: D.G. Harvey. Counsel for Winstone Pulp Industries Ltd: P. Brown.