General News
7 December, 2023
Workplace incident under investigation
A WOMAN was airlifted to hospital after an incident at the Western Victoria Livestock Exchange (WVLX) saleyards on Monday.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson confirmed paramedics had responded to an incident earlier this week.
“Paramedics were called to an incident in Mortlake about 9.35am on December 4,” the spokesperson said.
“A woman was airlifted to Royal Melbourne Hospital in a serious condition with lower body injuries.”
WVLX stakeholder and director and director of WVLX operating company Outcross Tom Newsome said on Tuesday a thorough review was underway.
He confirmed a witness had been interviewed, and the woman, a Camperdown resident, would be interviewed at a later date as she recovers from an operation which was scheduled for yesterday (Wednesday).
Mr Newsome said based on the preliminary investigation he believed woman had sustained the injuries while moving the cattle to be weighed.
“What we believe is she was moving a Lot of four heavy steers, weighing approximately 600 kilos each, to be weighed because they are valued per kilo,” he said.
“What we believe is she was moving them to the weighbridge in which the cattle are moved along a lane, which has gates that can be closed to make sure the cattle are separated
“There was Lots being weighed ahead of these four bulls, which as they went up the lane and reached as far as they could we believe at this point she has grabbed the gate but had not yet fully closed it, and as she did that one has come back and hit the gate.
“We believe the gate didn’t hit her, but that a bullock came back and hit the gate, so she may have hit the side rail and then hit the ground.”
Mr Newsome said the woman had received medical aid quickly and paramedics were fast on scene before being airlifted to hospital with a fractured pelvis and a broken arm.
“It’s pretty devastating, for us and her family,” she said.
“When something like this happens in a small town it makes a big impact.”
Mr Newsome acknowledged working around animals presented inherent dangers, but said Worksafe had conducted a site inspection on Tuesday and WVLX would conduct its own safety review.
“We will be guided by any findings from Worksafe, and once a full incident report is complied we will do our own review to get an understanding of whether there is something we can do better in terms of workplace health and safety and if investigation points that way we will make procedural changes as required,” he said.
A Worksafe spokesperson confirmed a site inspection had been conducted.
“WorkSafe inspectors have attended and will determine whether further action is required,” they said.