Charges laid following skid steer loader death

Two construction companies have been charged by WorkSafe Victoria following the death of a worker at a Bangholme depot.

In September 2022, the 34-year-old was run over by a skid steer loader, which was being operated by a co-worker after hours, and later died in hospital.

HSG Developments Pty Ltd and HSG Asphalt Pty Ltd face one charge each under section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing, so far as reasonably practicable, to provide and maintain a safe workplace.

WorkSafe alleges the companies breached section 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act by failing to provide and maintain a system of work for securely storing operating keys for items of plant, including the skid steer, to prevent untrained or unauthorised people gaining access.

The companies face one further charge each under section 23(1) of the OHS Act for failing to ensure people other than employees were not exposed to health and safety risks.

The matter is listed for a filing hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 2 September 2024.

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