Timber company fined $350k over worker's death

A timber milling company has been fined $350,000 over a worker's death. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

A Victorian company has been fined $350,000 after a worker was killed in timber mill incident. 

The man had been unloading timber from a conveyer belt in Benalla in Victoria's northeast when his clothes became caught on a pin protruding from the belt.

The man was dragged into the plant and killed.

D&R Henderson Pty Ltd pleaded guilty in the County Court over the May 2018 death, admitting it failed to provide and maintain a safe workplace.

The company also pleaded guilty to failing to provide information, instruction and training to enable workers to perform their work safely.

The timber company was on Thursday convicted and fined $350,000.

D&R Henderson have been approached for comment. 

WorkSafe executive director Narelle Beer said the risks should have been well known. 

"Tragically in this case, a worker has lost his life in an incident which could have been avoided had proper safety measures been in place," she said.

Labour hire company Recruitment Select Pty Ltd, which provided the worker to D&R Henderson, was previously fined $50,000 over the incident. 

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