Business Director and Operator Charged over Excavator Fatality.

Business director and operator charged over excavator fatality. 

A plant hire company has been charged after a 30-year old worker died from being struck by an excavator bucket in April 2019.

The excavator was picked up from the plant hire business, by the worker on a truck and float (flatbed trailer). While helping to load the excavator, the worker was struck by a bucket fitted to the excavator, which was unrestrained.

NT WorkSafe has laid five charges for reckless conduct under Section 31 of the Work, Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011.

NT WorkSafe alleges the company did not have a safe system of work to keep workers and other visitors separate from moving plant, did not supervise workers and visitors loading the plant, did not check workers qualifications before allowing them to operate and load hired plant and did not provide workplace inductions.

The operator of the excavator, who was employed to load it by a separate company, faces one charge for failing his duties as a worker under Section 28(b) of the Act, as he had no visibility of the worker when the fatal incident occurred.

The matter is listed for the Darwin Local Court on Wednesday, 23 June 2021.  Both parties face time in prison if found guilty.

Read the original article on the NT WorkSafe website. 

Workplace fatality in Christchurch.

WorkSafe New Zealand are investigating an incident in Christchurch last week where a person was hit by a falling object. Fire and Emergency New Zealand were called to assist St Johns ambulance.

The matter has been referred to the Coroner.

View the original alert on the WorkSafe New Zealand website.