28 October 2004
Victorian unions are outraged that Amcor was today fined only $120,000 for causing the death of Darren Moon, 29, in March last year.
"This company pleaded guilty to breaches of the OHS Act and admitted to not guarding a pulp paper machine. What more does one have to do to get the maximum fine of $250,000? What is a life worth?" Leigh Hubbard VTHC secretary said today.
"Only 8 months prior to the death there was a similar non-fatal incident on the same machine, a machine that has not been guarded since the 1960's when it was installed. On June 2001, a man lost his foot at the Brooklyn plant of the same company. They deserved a much higher fine for not taking action before it cost a life," Mr Hubbard added.
"By pleading guilty Amcor have acknowledged that they have not been complying with Victoria's health and safety laws and as such should have their self-insurer status reviewed in order to determine whether they are fit to hold that status," Mr Hubbard commented.
"Amcor's own admissions rule them out from being a 'fit and proper' employer to be considered for self-insurance."
"Workcover argues that those companies that are granted self-insurance are the cream of the crop when it comes to health and safety. Amcor's record clearly points to the contrary," Mr Hubbard added.
Approximately 10 per cent of the Victorian Workforce is covered by 38 self-insurers, all major corporations such as Coles Myer, Kraft, Qantas and Ford. The VTHC believes that self-insurance leads to less regulatory scrutiny of health and safety.
"The VWA self-insurance licensing regime which allows a machine to remain unguarded for over 30 years indicates that WorkSafe's audit system is a failure," Mr Hubbard concluded.