WorkSafe has charged a department store chain and a warehouse robotics supplier following the death of a worker at a Ravenhall distribution centre in September 2024.
The 27-year-old man sustained fatal injuries after coming into contact with an energised and operating automated robot.
Myer Pty Ltd faces two charges under section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing to provide or maintain a safe working environment and two charges under section 23(1) of the OHS Act for failing to ensure persons other than employees were not exposed to health and safety risks.
WorkSafe alleges Myer breached section 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act by failing to provide or maintain safe plant when it failed to ensure access points to the grid where the automated robots operated were guarded by an interlocked physical barrier.
It is further alleged the company breached section 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act by failing to provide or maintain safe systems of work when it failed to ensure access only occurred after the grid was de-energised and locked-out.
GeekPlus Australia Pty Ltd faces two charges under section 21(1) of the OHS Act for failing to provide or maintain a safe working environment.
WorkSafe alleges GeekPlus Australia breached section 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act by failing to provide or maintain a safe system of work by failing to ensure access to the grid only occurred once the automated robots were de-energised.
It is further alleged the company breached section 21(2)(e) of the OHS Act by failing to provide necessary supervision to ensure that its employees did not access the energised grid.
The matters are listed for a filing hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 28 September 2026.
Source: WorkSafe Vic
