The packing company, Kalafatis Packing, appeared before Shepparton Magistrate’s Court, Victoria in south-eastern Australia, yesterday on charges in relation to an incident in 2015, at its packing shed in Shepparton East.
The incident involved related to causing extensive injuries to Irish native, Miss Annie Dunne, Kilkeary, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. Miss Dunne suffered severe injuries to her scalp and to one ear when her hair got caught in a mechanical conveyor belt, situated at a packing shed in Shepparton Victoria, back in November of 2015.
The company Kalafatis Packing, which ran the business, initially faced ten charges, however same have since been reduced to two, for which the company are expected to plead guilty.
It is understood Miss Dunne, on the date in question, was working to fulfil the 89 days of regional work required to extend her working holiday visa. Local news reports state Miss Dunne was cleaning a pear distribution conveyor belt, when her hair became entangled in a rotating drive shaft. It is reported that interlock guards had been removed and had not been replaced at the time of the accident.
A further plea and sentencing is expected to take place on January 11th 2018 at Shepparton Magistrate’s Court, and the work-site will be inspected prior to that date, to observe all safety upgrades installed.
The packing company were fined €42,000 and had to pay another €5,150 in legal costs.
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