A BAYSWATER recycling company responsible for a worker losing an arm has been removed from the WA Local Government Association’s list of “preferred suppliers” while a decision’s made over possible suspension or termination.

In July the Voice reported that Resource Recovery Solutions was convicted of “gross negligence” over a 2016 incident where a worker’s arm was severed at the shoulder after being pulled into a conveyor belt that lacked a safety guard. 

It followed a worker death from a collapsing roof in 2013, another conveyor accident resulting in a broken arm in 2015, and repeatedly ignored warnings from Worksafe WA to improve safety at the site and install guards on the factory’s conveyors.

Dire history

Despite the dire history the company remained on WALGA’s “preferred supplier” list of companies it recommends to councils, intended to give them the best value for money. 

In July we queried whether worker safety was taken into account, and WALGA told us they’d commence a review into the company’s listing. This month the company disappeared from the preferred supplier directory.

WALGA CEO Nick Sloan says “removing organisations from our active directory forms part of the review process prior to any decisions being made on possible suspension or termination.

“Our current review is ongoing and no decisions have been made on this particular contract.”