Aqua Metro Services forced to spend $560,000 after labour hire employee’s hand amputated in cement mixer

A civil engineering company must spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on significant safety improvements or risk charges after a labour-hire employee had their hand amputated in a cement pump mixer.

Aqua Metro Services has entered an enforceable undertaking with WorkSafe Victoria after facing two charges of failing to ensure people other than employees were not exposed to health and safety risks.

The charges could be reinstated if the company fails to meet the undertaking’s provisions — estimated to cost $560,000 — which include developing virtual reality safety training and funding scholarships through Monash University for students to complete a tertiary safety education qualification.

The horrifying incident occurred in February 2022 while the worker was cleaning residue from the concrete mixer during drain rehabilitation works at Moonee Ponds.

Their hand became entangled in the mixing hopper, resulting in amputation.

The concrete mixer had a safety guard fitted; however, it had to be removed to clean the hopper area, and no interlocks were installed in case of an unexpected start-up.

WorkSafe alleged Aqua Metro Services should have controlled the risk of entanglement by installing an interlocked guard; the use of a high-pressure hose to remove residue; or, if the guarding had to be removed for cleaning, using a lock-out, tag-out procedure.

WorkSafe Executive director of health and safety Sam Jenkin said inadequately guarded machinery put workers at significant risk.

“Unfortunately, when machinery is not properly guarded, it’s often a matter of when, not if, a serious and potentially life-changing incident will occur,” Mr Jenkin said.

“The only upside to this terrible incident is that significant safety improvements will now be made within this company and the wider industry, including better support for students and vulnerable workers.”