An Australian construction supplies company has been fined $300,000 over a workplace accident that left an employee with severe head and torso injuries.
The employee, who does not wish to be identified, was working for Agnew Building Supplies when he was crushed by a load of materials during a delivery run at an ACT worksite.
The worker was dropping off more than 800kg of building supplies when the materials fell from the back of a truck and hit him, causing severe injuries to his head and torso, according to WorkSafe ACT.
Agnew Building Supplies was on Tuesday fined $300,000 in the ACT Magistrates Court for failing to comply with health and safety duties, causing the risk of death or serious injury.
ACT Work Health and Safety Commissioner Jacqueline Agius slammed the April 2021 incident as “completely unacceptable”.
“They are not accidents — they are failures of WHS practice,” Agius said.
“It is clear from the investigation undertaken by WorkSafe ACT that this terrible incident could have been completely avoided by ensuring all staff were adequately trained, and all risks were properly controlled.
“We wish the worker and their family all the best in their continued recovery.”
Agius said the penalty imposed showed the importance of workplace safety systems.
“Proper protocols clearly would have prevented serious injury in this case and in other cases,” she said.
“Don’t risk it. Keep workplaces safe.”
Source: 7News
