Businesses, including Lochert Bros Pty Ltd, a citrus packing company based in Ramco, South Australia, that settled on a $129,000 fine. This penalty follows a workplace accident that critically injured a 22-year-old worker. The attack occurred at the firm’s packing house. A young worker was permanently mutilated when a pressure washer machine designed by Lochert Bros nearly 30 years prior degloved his left forearm.
The death was reported to SafeWork SA on March 10, 2023, leading the authority to investigate the facility’s safety culture. Lochert Bros was charged for a Category 2 offence under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012. They neglected to make sure that the emergency stop control on their pressure washer complied with all relevant safety standards.
Legal Consequences and Financial Impact
Lochert Bros accepted responsibility right away. They pled guilty at the initial court appearance four weeks after entering the diversion program. The Tribunal’s deputy president, Stephen Lieschke, said the injuries were very extensive and severe. Consequently, the court slapped her with a staggering fine of $129,000. Lochert Bros has to pay the costs of the informant’s legal representation.
Lochert Bros levied a penalty. They provided an extraordinary voluntary payment of $20,000 to Mr. R before Christmas 2024. Mr. Lieschke highlighted that the victim had “unnecessarily struggled financially while [still] recovering,” underscoring the impact of the incident on the individual’s life.
Safety Improvements and Management Changes
Following the incident and its aftermath, Lochert Bros had safety improvements made at its facility. The company spent more than $250,000 on a range of safety improvements to avoid similar incidents going forward. For example, Lochert Bros spent $12,669.98 repairing and installing safety features on the pressure washer that caused the accident.
To improve operational management and safety oversight, Lochert Bros made Liz Fourie chief executive in the wake of the incident. This leadership change reflects a commitment to ensuring better compliance with workplace safety regulations and fostering a culture of safety within the company.
The hapless victim of the incident has in the meantime been offered a permanent job at Lochert Bros. At the same time, he praised the company for making meaningful safety improvements. He issued a sincere thanks to all of them for their support during his recovery.
Ongoing Commitment to Safety
Lochert Bros understands how vital workplace safety is and as a result, has made aggressive moves to better its practices. The company’s multi-million-dollar investment in safety upgrades reflects a concerted effort to reduce risk and protect its workers.
