Aqua Metro Services, a civil engineering company working in the water and wastewater industry, have been issued an Enforceable Undertaking by WorkSafe after an employee’s hand was amputated in an incident involving a REED mobile concrete pump mixer.
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On 16 February 2022 Aqua Metro Services was engaged in underground drain rehabilitation works at Moonee Ponds, where employees were using a REED mobile concrete pump mixer designed for mixing and pumping Geocrete to reline stormwater drains. A labour hire worker was cleaning Geocrete residue from the machine. Company procedure required the removal of guarding and there were no interlocks on the guarding to eliminate the risk of an unexpected start-up while the guarding was open. The employee’s hand became entangled in the mixing hopper area of the machine, resulting in amputation of his hand.
Aqua Metro Services were initially charge with two offences (in the alternative) against OHS Act s.23(1) Duties of Employers to Other Persons. The charges were withdrawn following an Enforceable Undertaking being entered into by the company.
In addition to improvements already implemented to the value of $500K (including the installation of an interlock system and upgrade of the machine to comply with AS4801), the Enforceable Undertaking requires Aqua Metro Services to:
- work with Master Builders Victoria to develop and deliver a Guarding Module Virtual Reality Scenario Training
- work with Art of Work Solutions to design and implement a Smart Glass Safety Prompt Application and Safety Leadership Program that is paired with QR codes installed on plant at Aqua Metro Services sites performing relining works
- partner with Monash University to provide funding for scholarships to undertake safety tertiary qualifications
Read more: Enforceable-undertaking-aqua-metro-services-20240925r.pdf (worksafe.vic.gov.au)