Babylon Automotive Services Pty Ltd (BAS) is a registered proprietary company that trades as ‘Fantastic Kebabs and Pizza’ in Mooroolbark, selling cooked foods such as kebabs and pizza.
In December 2024, a BAS employee was feeding pizza dough through a dough roller when three fingers on their right hand became caught in the bottom rollers of the dough machine. The employee was working alone but was able to contact emergency services. The Country Fire Association attended the scene and jammed a wedge between the bottom rollers to separate them and free the employee’s hand. Paramedics also attended and transported the employee to hospital where they were treated for pain and abrasions before being discharged later that day.
A WorkSafe Inspector attended the workplace and was advised by the company Director that they had used the dough roller for over five years and that when he purchased the business, the dough roller was already in place and did not have any guarding. Whilst the Inspector was still present at the workplace, the Director cut the dough roller’s power cord to prevent the machine from being used again.
BAS pleaded guilty to breaching s.21 of the OHS Act by their failure to provide guarding on the dough machine. The Court sentenced BAS, without conviction, to a fine of $14,000.
You can learn more about the guarding of hazardous machinery at our Machine Guarding - OHS Reps page. WorkSafe also publishes free guidance for employers on managing the risks associated with plant in the workplace:
· Compliance code: Plant | WorkSafe Victoria
· Plant health and safety guide | WorkSafe Victoria
The maximum applicable penalty value for a breach of s.21 of the OHS Act at the time of the incident was approximately $1.7 million.
In February 2025 the Sentencing Advisory Council released a report to the Victorian Government making 12 recommendations for reform regarding the sentencing of OHS offences in Victoria. This included significantly increasing maximum penalties for breaching OHS duties in line with community expectations. The Victorian Government is yet to provide a response to this report.
Read more: Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable Undertakings | WorkSafe Victoria