A Wollongong-based company has been fined $375,000 following a workplace incident where a 19 year old man was killed after being run over by a turf harvester.
Turfco Australia Pty Ltd was sentenced at the District Court of NSW for failing to ensure the health and safety of its workers.
Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said the incident was a tragic reminder to all companies that worker safety must be a top priority.
“The harvester was reversing to the unloading area with a full pallet of cut turf, when this young man has fallen off the machine’s platform and suffered fatal injuries,” Mr Kean said.
Mr Kean said the harvester should not have been reversed while a worker was standing on the side platform, and at risk of falling off it.
“Despite the experience of the operator, a young man has sadly lost his life,” Mr Kean said.
“It serves as an awful reminder of just how quickly things can go wrong, and why strict safety standards must always be adhered to.”
From 1 October 2018, SafeWork NSW will require all hand-stacking harvesters to have measures installed to control the risks of persons falling off, or being run over by a reversing harvester.
“Workplace fatalities have a devastating impact on everyone involved. That’s why I’ve asked SafeWork to do everything in its power to combat workplace incidents, and work closely with businesses to create safe workspaces,” Mr Kean said.
Last year SafeWork NSW successfully prosecuted 34 offenders and issued 218 penalty notices.
Turfco Australia has the right to lodge an appeal.
