Woodward Foods Australia fined $375,000 for workplace injury

Woodward Foods Australia Pty Ltd has been fined $375,000 by the NSW Industrial Court following a workplace accident that resulted in catastrophic injuries to a casual worker.

The incident occurred on 21 January 2023 at a cattle feedlot facility in Murray Downs, southern New South Wales. While attempting to remove debris from an inspection hatch, the worker’s right hand was pulled into the mill rollers. The injury resulted in the amputation of his fingers and required ongoing psychological and physical support.

Justice Jane Paingakulam noted that the incident was of serious objective severity and indicated that stronger policies should have been in place to ensure the mill rolls had completely stopped moving before inspection.