An employee was attempting to raise a newly manufactured mining low loader trailer, weighing approximately 80 tonne, to enable a transport trailer to be driven underneath so the new trailer could be removed from the workshop.  The employee used a heavy duty jacking system, various support stands and packing.  During the lifting, the jacking system’s base broke through the reinforced concrete floor of the workshop under the weight of the load resulting in the trailer falling back a distance of approximately 100mm onto the support stands catching and crushing the right hand of the employee between the trailer and one of the support stands.  The employee suffered the loss of 3 fingers and the palm of his right hand.

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