logo
Abattoir lawyer accused of 'blame shifting' after worker loses foot

Abattoir lawyer accused of 'blame shifting' after worker loses foot

A New South Wales Riverina abattoir has been accused of "blame shifting" despite pleading guilty to charges related to a workplace injury that resulted in a worker losing his foot.
During a sentencing hearing in the NSW District Court in Sydney on Tuesday, defence counsel representing Hilltop Meats in Young, Bruce Hodgkinson, said an auger system in which the worker's foot became entangled had a lock-out system that could have prevented the 2021 incident.
He told the court that lock-out system would have demobilised the machine.
"That's not a complex procedure," Mr Hodgkinson said.
The worker had been clearing a blockage in the meat auger conveyor in October 2021 when a colleague turned the machine back on, causing his foot to become caught inside the screw mechanism.
Emergency crews worked for more than two hours to free the man in his 30s, who suffered significant injuries to both legs and later had a foot amputated.
SafeWork NSW started action against the meat processing facility in 2023.
Hilltop Meats pleaded guilty in March to failures which allowed the worker to be exposed to dangerous moving parts of the auger, admitted to placing the worker at risk of falling from height on the auger and being at risk of death or serious injury.
It further admitted it failed to conduct a risk assessment of the task of removing blockages in the auger.
Crown prosecutor Matthew Moir accused the defence of "blame shifting".
"It's the duty holder who has the obligation to ensure employees are property trained, instructed in the correct method of work," he said.
He accused the defence of "trying to blame others … in particular [the victim]", for failing to follow the procedures in place.
The court heard the victim began work at the abattoir in 2015 and had previously been trained in the lock-out process, before he left the company in 2018.
The victim returned in July 2021.
The company had changed hands, however, Mr Moir noted the victim was not retrained in the lock-out procedure.
The court heard that about three months after the workplace incident, the victim was called back into work and reprimanded for his actions.
Judge Wendy Strathdee was concerned by the company's action.
"Would the more appropriate fashion have been to speak to the rest of the workplace rather than issue a written warning and threat of termination to the man who lost his foot," she said.
Mr Hodgkinson said the "difficult" decision to call in the victim had not been taken lightly but deemed it necessary.
"If they're going to take enforcement action, how are they going to do it if they don't go directly to [the victim]," he said.
Judge Strathdee said while she understood it was a "very difficult, delicate situation", she remained concerned the victim was reprimanded before he had returned to work.
The court heard workers had developed their own practice of clearing auger blockages, which were a common occurrence, by standing above the unguarded conveyor screw several metres above a concrete floor.
Agreed facts in the case showed workers told SafeWork the guards over the auger had been removed for months prior to the incident.
The court heard a maintenance supervisor had told a different worker not to stand in an unguarded auger, but no further action was taken.
It heard while the maintenance manager was aware of the practice, he did not tell senior management.
Mr Hodgkinson said they were unaware workers were engaging in the practice until the incident occurred.
Judge Strathdee adjourned proceedings and to hand down a judgement at a later date.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Vision emerges of sacked NRL reporter's alleged crash
Vision emerges of sacked NRL reporter's alleged crash

News.com.au

time7 minutes ago

  • News.com.au

Vision emerges of sacked NRL reporter's alleged crash

Footage has emerged of former Fox Sports reporter James Hooper's alleged drunken accident in Sydney. The prominent NRL reporter has been sacked by Fox Sports and subsequently stood himself down from his role with Triple M after being charged with high-range drinking offences. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Now Channel 9 has obtained footage of the crash, which took place in Leichhardt on Thursday night and allegedly involved a number of other vehicles and Hooper's ute. Paul Green, who lives right by the accident site, is heard on the footage and told the network what he had witnessed. 'He just tried to get out of there straight away,' Green alleged. 'Put the car in reverse to try to reverse off the car he was collected on and he couldn't get off. 'So he was not really coherent. He headed up the street, unfortunately for him he headed up the wrong way. 'We lost sight of him in the dark but then he turned around and that's when the police caught up to him at the roundabout down the bottom of the hill.' Hooper is alleged to have collided with three parked cars and returned a positive breath test of 0.253, more than five times the legal limit. Hooper was the chief rugby league reporter for Fox Sports, along with roles as a columnist for Fox Sports and a sideline reporter with Triple M. Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), which owns and operates Triple M, confirmed to Hooper has opted to cut ties with the network. 'Triple M acknowledges the decision of James Hooper to stand down from his commitments with the network,' SCA Head of Sports Content Ewan Giles said. 'We thank him for his contribution.' A statement from NSW Police read: 'At 7.30pm on Thursday, police were called to Allen Street, Leichhardt following reports of a crash. 'Officers attached to Leichhardt Highway Patrol attended to find a utility had collided with three parked cars before coming to a stop.' He has been charged with high-range drink-driving and three counts of damaged property and will appear in court on September 15. The decision from Fox Sports was effective immediately, with Hooper's final appearance on NRL 360 occurring on Wednesday night this week. Fox Sports' managing director Steve Crawley confirmed the news in a statement. 'James has been a great contributor since he joined us in 2016, but he's also battled some significant personal issues from time to time,' Crawley said. 'In speaking to him today, James also acknowledges that things need to change for him.' Hooper was approached by The Daily Telegraph for comment, stating: 'I've let the game of rugby league, my employers, my wife and kids down terribly. 'Clearly I'm not handling the tough side of the job. 'Hopefully this is the punch between the eyes that will set me straight.'

Woman dead, man critical after overnight stabbings
Woman dead, man critical after overnight stabbings

The Advertiser

time39 minutes ago

  • The Advertiser

Woman dead, man critical after overnight stabbings

A woman is dead and a man in his 20s is fighting for life following overnight stabbing attacks in separate states. Homicide Squad detectives are investigating after the woman was found fatally injured and a man known to her was taken into custody at a house in Coleraine, about 35km from Hamilton, in Victoria's southwest. Local officers found the woman alive shortly after 1am on Saturday but she died at the scene. Police said the arrested man was known to the victim and was being interviewed by investigators. Two men were also stabbed at a house gathering in Sydney's west overnight, one of them suffering critical wounds. Emergency crews were called to a residential unit in Patricia Street, Mays Hill, in the city's inner west, in the early hours of Saturday following reports a man in his 20s had sustained serious injuries. He was located and treated at the scene by paramedics for an apparent life-threatening knife wound to the torso before being taken to Westmead Hospital. Police said a second man of similar age was found nearby with a wound to his arm. He was also transported to Westmead. It is understood the pair and others at the address were known to each other. The Coleraine incident comes days after an Australia-first ban targeting young offenders. Victorian parents were urged on Thursday to hand in their children's machetes and knives at police amnesty posts. A total of 45 stations across the state will host disposal bins set up for the three-month initiative. Carrying one of the deadly long and broad-bladed knives is outlawed, while a sales ban with some exemptions is already operating. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 A woman is dead and a man in his 20s is fighting for life following overnight stabbing attacks in separate states. Homicide Squad detectives are investigating after the woman was found fatally injured and a man known to her was taken into custody at a house in Coleraine, about 35km from Hamilton, in Victoria's southwest. Local officers found the woman alive shortly after 1am on Saturday but she died at the scene. Police said the arrested man was known to the victim and was being interviewed by investigators. Two men were also stabbed at a house gathering in Sydney's west overnight, one of them suffering critical wounds. Emergency crews were called to a residential unit in Patricia Street, Mays Hill, in the city's inner west, in the early hours of Saturday following reports a man in his 20s had sustained serious injuries. He was located and treated at the scene by paramedics for an apparent life-threatening knife wound to the torso before being taken to Westmead Hospital. Police said a second man of similar age was found nearby with a wound to his arm. He was also transported to Westmead. It is understood the pair and others at the address were known to each other. The Coleraine incident comes days after an Australia-first ban targeting young offenders. Victorian parents were urged on Thursday to hand in their children's machetes and knives at police amnesty posts. A total of 45 stations across the state will host disposal bins set up for the three-month initiative. Carrying one of the deadly long and broad-bladed knives is outlawed, while a sales ban with some exemptions is already operating. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 A woman is dead and a man in his 20s is fighting for life following overnight stabbing attacks in separate states. Homicide Squad detectives are investigating after the woman was found fatally injured and a man known to her was taken into custody at a house in Coleraine, about 35km from Hamilton, in Victoria's southwest. Local officers found the woman alive shortly after 1am on Saturday but she died at the scene. Police said the arrested man was known to the victim and was being interviewed by investigators. Two men were also stabbed at a house gathering in Sydney's west overnight, one of them suffering critical wounds. Emergency crews were called to a residential unit in Patricia Street, Mays Hill, in the city's inner west, in the early hours of Saturday following reports a man in his 20s had sustained serious injuries. He was located and treated at the scene by paramedics for an apparent life-threatening knife wound to the torso before being taken to Westmead Hospital. Police said a second man of similar age was found nearby with a wound to his arm. He was also transported to Westmead. It is understood the pair and others at the address were known to each other. The Coleraine incident comes days after an Australia-first ban targeting young offenders. Victorian parents were urged on Thursday to hand in their children's machetes and knives at police amnesty posts. A total of 45 stations across the state will host disposal bins set up for the three-month initiative. Carrying one of the deadly long and broad-bladed knives is outlawed, while a sales ban with some exemptions is already operating. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 A woman is dead and a man in his 20s is fighting for life following overnight stabbing attacks in separate states. Homicide Squad detectives are investigating after the woman was found fatally injured and a man known to her was taken into custody at a house in Coleraine, about 35km from Hamilton, in Victoria's southwest. Local officers found the woman alive shortly after 1am on Saturday but she died at the scene. Police said the arrested man was known to the victim and was being interviewed by investigators. Two men were also stabbed at a house gathering in Sydney's west overnight, one of them suffering critical wounds. Emergency crews were called to a residential unit in Patricia Street, Mays Hill, in the city's inner west, in the early hours of Saturday following reports a man in his 20s had sustained serious injuries. He was located and treated at the scene by paramedics for an apparent life-threatening knife wound to the torso before being taken to Westmead Hospital. Police said a second man of similar age was found nearby with a wound to his arm. He was also transported to Westmead. It is understood the pair and others at the address were known to each other. The Coleraine incident comes days after an Australia-first ban targeting young offenders. Victorian parents were urged on Thursday to hand in their children's machetes and knives at police amnesty posts. A total of 45 stations across the state will host disposal bins set up for the three-month initiative. Carrying one of the deadly long and broad-bladed knives is outlawed, while a sales ban with some exemptions is already operating. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491

Search for missing Alice Springs man Gach Top in Central Australia suspended by police
Search for missing Alice Springs man Gach Top in Central Australia suspended by police

ABC News

timean hour ago

  • ABC News

Search for missing Alice Springs man Gach Top in Central Australia suspended by police

The search for missing Alice Springs man Gach Top has been suspended after five days, after police and the SES sought advice from local trail guides and family friends. The 26-year-old man went missing on Monday and his car was found abandoned 14.5 kilometres west of John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve. Police have described Mr Top as a 6-foot-tall man of Sudanese appearance with a lean build and short curly hair. NT Police Acting Sergeant Christopher Grotherr said the earlier helicopter search had been scaled back on Saturday in favour of drones, but the number of on-ground personnel searching the rugged terrain remained the same until 6pm that evening. He said Mr Top's family had been kept updated throughout the search and were now aware it had been suspended. "Extensive search efforts, coordinated by the NT Police Force's Search and Rescue Section, were suspended late this afternoon following a fifth day of searching an area about 21 kilometres west of Alice Springs," NT Police said. "The operation at its peak involved more than 50 personnel from NT Police, NT Emergency Services, NT Fire and Rescue Service, and Parks and Wildlife NT." The matter has now been handed to the NT Police Southern Crime Division for further investigation. Larapinta Trail Trek Support owner Zak Dragic, who has been rescuing hikers along the track for a decade, assisted police on Saturday by navigating his drone over the hilly, grassy terrain surrounding Larapinta Drive — close to the ground and into areas helicopters couldn't access. Sudanese community leader Chuol Yat, a close friend of Mr Top's family, described the young man's disappearance as out of character. "I couldn't believe it when I heard that he was wandering, nowhere to be found," he said. "From the way people are talking to me about him, people are very sad, people are disappointed, people are feeling very devastated." Another friend of the family, Elia Mabok, had also joined search efforts earlier. Mr Mabok, a member of the local Sudanese community, brought along his dog David Kong to assist. "We are a small community here in Alice Springs, and we all work with and know each other," he said. Acting Sergeant Grotherr said police had also received "valuable" input from locals in the surrounding Indigenous communities and had collaborated with Aboriginal liaison officers through the search. "They have been out here conducting searches for us and providing us some pretty valuable advice in where we might need to search," he said. Acting Sergeant Grotherr thanked the search teams for their efforts, but said "unfortunately, it hasn't produced the result we hoped for". Police are continuing to call for any witnesses who have information from the vicinity of Larapinta Drive, Standley Chasm, or Simpsons Gap.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store