NSW – Crushing death leads to $100K fine for company; director also fined
A trucking company has been fined $100,000, plus WorkCover’s legal costs, after a worker was crushed to death. The worker had driven an excavator onto a trailer, but the loading ramp collapsed. No inspection system was in place. The company director has also been fined $5,000 plus costs. More.
NSW - Kiama developer fined after fall from heights
A Kiama developer has been fined $80,000, plus costs, after an apprentice suffered serious head injuries when he fell 3.5 metres onto a concrete slab. Open holes at the site were not covered or fenced off to prevent workers from falling though them and there was little supervision or training. More.
SA – $355,000 in fines over tank collapse
Two engineering companies and a winery have been fined a total of $355,000, after large fermentation tanks collapsed, injuring a worker. SafeWork deemed there were numerous engineering, licensing and communication failures. Loads on the concrete slab that was supporting the 30,000 L tanks were more than five times greater than the design specifications. More.
SA – Winch-related death leads to fine for skipper and company
Following the death of a deckhand who became entangled in a large winch spool, a fishing company and its skipper have been fined a total of $87,500. Risk control and communication were deemed inadequate. More.
SA – Two companies fined over finger amputations
Two document management companies have been fined over an incident where a worker’s fingertips were amputated following a crush injury. A purpose-built tool which protected operators’ hands had been lost a year previously. Safe systems of work were deemed inadequate. More.
TAS – Company convicted and fined over worker’s death
An earth works company has been convicted and fined $45,000 after a worker died. An excavator, prime mover and low loader float weren’t chocked on an incline and brakes were inadequate to hold them. A worker was hit by the float. No risk assessment had been done. More – click here and go to p. 38.
VIC – Poisoning of ten workers leads to $260K fine for two companies
Two mining companies have been fined a total of $260,000 after underground mine workers collapsed from carbon monoxide poisoning. One employer was fined $110,000. The second has previously been fined $150,000. The companies allowed employees to re-enter a mine after blasting work, but didn’t test the air quality. Two workers collapsed and workers who went to assist them were also affected by the fumes. The emergency response was deemed inadequate. More.
VIC – Company guilty of OHS discrimination; $180K fine
A stevedoring company has been convicted of three charges and fined $180,000 for discriminating against a worker on OHS grounds. The elected OHS representative was suspended, given warning letters and threatened with dismissal for raising serious safety issues. It is the first discrimination conviction in Victoria. More.
VIC - $120, 000 fine over mill worker’s death
A forestry company has been convicted and fined $120,000 after a worker died when a 1.5 tonne hoist fell on her. She was trying to dislodge a piece of timber from it. More.
VIC – Husband and wife receive good behaviour undertakings after death
The death of an 18 year old worker who was dragged into an exposed roller has led to good behaviour undertakings for a husband and wife partnership. The husband was convicted and fined $60,000 plus costs. After the worker's death, guards and an interlocking system were installed, costing $6,000. More.
VIC – Suspended prison sentences for inspector intimidation
A company director and employee have each been convicted and sentenced to six months in prison (suspended) for assaulting and intimidating a WorkSafe inspector. They were also fined $3,500 and $2,000 respectively, plus $6,000 in costs. The incidents occurred on two separate occasions. More.
WA – $50K fine for host employer after labour hire worker dies
A host employer has been fined $50,000 over the death of a farm worker supplied by a labour hire company. The solo worker rode into a wire gate while riding an all-terrain vehicle. He was not wearing a helmet and was found on the road the next day. The host employer pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the provision of a safe workplace under a labour hire arrangement and, by that failure, causing the death of the person. The labour hire company has previously been fined $30,000. It had never visited the farm to identify hazards and control risks. More.
WA – $20K fine over mine worker’s crush injuries
A safety barrier company has been fined $20,000 after a 2.8 tonne machine crushed a worker’s foot. Although a job safety analysis (JSA) had been completed by employees, the procedures weren’t relevant to the machine being used. Managers signed off on the JSA without ensuring the hazard was adequately controlled. More.
WA – Quarry manager forges certificate; $1,000 fine
A worker who forged his quarry manager certificate has been fined $1,000. He pleaded guilty to acting as a quarry manager without holding the required certification. The forgery was identified when his employer notified the Department of Mines and Petroleum of his appointment. More.
WA – Serial fatigue offender fined for third time
A Geraldton bakery has been fined for a third time for breaching fatigue management laws for commercial vehicle drivers. The fine relates to numerous offences where drivers did not take required breaks or have medical certificates showing they were fit to drive a commercial vehicle. More.
NZ – Glass-related death leads to $90,000 costs for company
The death of a worker who was hit by a 200 kg sheet of glass has led to a $30,000K fine and $60,000 in reparations for his employer. The sheets were being manually unloaded by eight employees. More.
NZ - $70K fine plus costs after worker breaks leg
A company has been fined $70,000, plus reparation of $15,000, after a worker fell from a power pole. The pole broke and landed on top of him. Hazard identification and risk assessment were deemed inadequate. More.
NZ – Inadequate guarding causes death and finger amputations in separate incidents
A pulp and paper company has been fined $47,500 after a worker died when he was dragged into a pulp press. More.
In another guarding-related incident, a steel company has been fined $55,500 after a worker’s hand was crushed in a machine and three fingers amputated. The hazard had been identified but additional guarding hadn’t been installed. Guarding was installed after the incident. More.
NZ – Fall death leads to fines for two companies
Two Auckland companies have been fined after a worker fell 10 metres to his death through a hole filled with fire mortar. One of the companies had filled the hole but neither it nor the hiring company identified it as a hazard. The companies were fined $36,000 and $25,000 respectively. More.
