A builder from Toowoomba has been hit with a $75,000 fine after a teenage apprentice was injured in 2017.
The apprentice’s hand was lacerated from his pinky finger to the base of his thumb by a circular saw.
The apprentice Bodhii George Dunlop was 19 at the time when he was cutting pieces of timber between 2 utes when the incident occurred.
Following the incident the worker developed PTSD and depression and a report found he would struggle to complete the same “pre-injury tasks”, despite 10 operations to repair cuts, nerve and bone damage in his hand.
The apprentice’s employer pleaded guilty in the industrial division of the Toowoomba Magistrates Court to breaching the Work Health and Safety Act.
It was heard that as the apprentice reached down to grab the length of timber with his left hand to prevent it moving further or falling, the saw blade grabbed and jumped on the piece of timber, causing the moving blade to cut across the palm of his left hand from his little pinky finger to the base of his thumb.
The company was fined $75,000 and ordered to pay court costs of almost $2000. Source: https://www.theage.com.au/national/queensland/builder-fined-75-000-after-apprentice-s-palm-sliced-from-pinky-to-thumb-20190523-p51qae.html
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