A Melbourne recycling company has been convicted and fined a whopping $800,000.
The company was found guilty by a jury of one breach of the 2004 OHS Act in that it failed to provide and maintain safe plant, after one of its employees was crushed to death under a homemade lifting device.
The company showed complete lack of remorse when, after it was charged, it advised WorkSafe Victoria that it was not going to take part in court proceedings and intended to cease trading. It then tried to de-register which, under the Corporations Act 2001, is not permitted while legal proceedings are in train.
WorkSafe Victoria successfully had the company re-registered so the case could continue.
WorkSafe’s Executive Director of Health and Safety, Marnie Williams said the owners deserved public condemnation for their actions since the incident.
“Their attempt to wash their hands of their responsibilities by shutting down the company once charges were laid, refusing to take part in court proceedings, and starting up a similar company just nine months after their employee died is utterly contemptible and should be condemned,” she said.
For full details of WorkSafe Victoria’s media release click this link