Magistrate Reg Marron convicted and fined the council in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Monday.

It was the council’s second workplace safety contravention since 2001, when it was fined $8000.

The court had previously heard that the Launceston Aquatic Centre employee was operating a bulkhead - which regulates the length of the pool – on January 19 last year, when the handle broke and a metal spindle lacerated the woman’s face.

The woman sustained a scar but no other long-term injuries.

Pink medical tape had been used to ‘‘repair’’ the bulkhead before the day of the incident, during a  previous equipment failure.

Yesterday, council general manager Robert Dobrzynski said the council sincerely regretted the injury to the staff member, which should not have happened.

He said workplace safety was the council’s highest priority and the council had since conducted a thorough review of safety systems and processes at the aquatic centre.

’’ As a result of that review, improvements were made in some areas to ensure Launceston Aquatic Centre remains a safe place for all staff and visitors,’’ Mr Dobrzynski said.

‘‘What this incident illustrates is that we must continue to take action which ensures our workplaces are safe and that safe and appropriate work practices are undertaken by our employees."