Truck body manufacturer charged after worker crushed to death

WorkSafe Victoria has charged a Carrum Downs truck body manufacturer with two alleged breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, after an employee was crushed in a shipping container. Prestige Truck Bodies (Aust) Pty Ltd was charged for failing to maintain, so far as was reasonably practicable, a workplace that is safe and without risk to health. The charges relate to a January 2020 incident, in which an employee died after a stack of panels weighing up to 225 kg each fell and crushed him as they were being unloaded from a shipping container.

The company has been charged under section 21(1) and 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act for failing to provide safe systems of work; and under section 21(1) and 21(2)(e) for failing to provide its workers with information, instruction or training to perform their work safely. The matter will be addressed at a filing hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 11 October 2021.

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