Takeaway shop Souvlaki GR in Plenty, Melbourne has been fined $75,000 after an employee’s hair caught in a rotisserie machine.
According to 7 News, the 22-year-old female employee was working at Souvlaki GR in February 2022 when she reached for a takeaway container lid placed on a high shelf and her ponytail became stuck in the rotisserie machine.
A co-worker pressed the emergency stop button after hearing the woman’s cries for help. A hairdresser from a nearby business was called in to cut the woman’s hair free from the machine.
WorkSafe Victoria said the woman suffered a “significant” amount of hair loss and head swelling. She was taken to hospital and did not return to work for two weeks.
The work safety watchdog added that the woman and a co-worker attended a training night held by the business after the incident occurred, marking the “first time they became aware of the existence of workplace policies.”
The shop also should have avoided storing takeaway containers above the rotisserie machine.
Souvlaki GR faced the Heidelberg Magistrates Court on Tuesday, June 25 charged with failing to provide and maintain a safe system of work and failing to provide adequate information, instruction and training.
It was fined $75,000 and ordered to pay $5,682 in costs.
Source: 7 News
