$100,000 fines for workplace accidents

The WorkSafe Authority believes a $100,000 fine imposed on a Campbellfield printing company is a milestone in improving workplace safety.

Lakeside Packaging was yesterday fined $75,000 in Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court for safety breaches, and $25,000 for not having proper training and safety information available to non-English speaking employees.

The firm employs Mandarin-speaking Chinese workers under 457 working visas.

Two Chinese workers were hurt in 2006: the arm of Cheng Cai was crushed in a printing machine from which safety barriers had been removed, and Zi Hong Fu fell from a ladder while doing electrical work for which he was unqualified.

Lakeside Printing pleaded guilty to five charges relating to Mr Cai and two charges relating to Mr Fu.

Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg said the director of Lakeside worked on the printing machines and must have been aware of the danger.

He said Mr Fu had never been given proper instructions in a language he could understand, nor proper protection in case of a fall.

The court heard that while drilling into metal with his unbroken left hand supported between his chin and right hand -- he broke that wrist too.

Ten days later he was told to come back to work and given a letter warning him about his job performance.

Mr Fu, 50, was in so much pain he returned to hospital, where doctors gave him another three weeks' sick leave.

When he returned, his left arm in plaster and right arm in a splint, his boss Mensol (Tom) Najdovski ordered him to do maintenance work on his property.

WorkSafe Victoria prosecutor Nandi Segbedzi had said Mr Fu was finally sacked while on another bout of sick leave.

Outside court yesterday, the acting executive director of WorkSafe, Stan Krpan, said the judgment was significant.

"Vulnerable workers deserve protection in the workplace, no matter where they're from," he said.

"The court has reflected community concerns on workplace health and safety."

Source: Mike Edmonds, Herald Sun