Employers penalised $357,000 following workplace death…

The District Court has convicted and fined two companies following the death of an employee in a workplace vehicle accident. The Court found that the vehicle had not been subject to regular maintenance and was unfit for use. Its brakes, steering and suspension were all in need of servicing and repair.

The employee was tragically killed when the vehicle overturned. The Court found that roll protection had been purchased for the vehicle but had not been fitted to it.

The companies were jointly fined $247,000 and ordered to pay $110,000 reparation to the employee’s family.

Employers must ensure that they had a process in place for regular maintenance of machinery, including vehicles, and a way of ensuring that the maintenance is carried out. They must also make sure that safety equipment purchased is actually fitted. If that had been done, the employee would not likely have been killed.

Leading law firms committed to helping clients cost-effectively will have a range of fixed-price Initial Consultations to suit most people’s needs in quickly learning what their options are.  At Rainey Collins we have an experienced team who can answer your questions and put you on the right track.