Charges Filed Against VIC Fruit Grower Following Fatal Incident in Cool Storage Room

A Shepparton fruit grower is facing charges after a truckie died at a warehouse last year, raising fresh questions about workplace safety in controlled atmosphere storage facilities across the plant and produce sectors.

What Happened at the Shepparton Cool Room

Authorities found a 50-year-old man unresponsive in a cool room with low oxygen levels, designed for apple storage, after someone noticed his car parked outside with engine still running.

Cool rooms operating with a controlled atmosphere reduce oxygen concentration to preserve fruit, but this same process creates serious risk for anyone entering without proper precautions. Plant operators managing this type of storage must treat oxygen depletion as a critical hazard, not an afterthought.

Charges Laid Under Victoria's OHS Act

Worksafe has charged the company with two counts under section 26(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, for failing to ensure a workplace under its control was safe and free from health hazards.

According to WorkSafe, the company neglected to lower risk of significant injury or death by enforcing a ban on entry to cool rooms functioning with controlled atmosphere, and by providing clear, visible warning signage. These alleged failures point to gaps in OHS planning that safety professionals across Australia will recognise as preventable with proper controls in place.

The case is scheduled for a filing hearing at Shepparton Magistrates' Court on Friday, December 20.

Why Controlled Atmosphere Storage Poses Unique Risk

Controlled atmosphere cool rooms are common across fruit storage and cold chain plant operations, yet many employees remain unaware of the oxygen-depletion hazard until it's too late.

Key OHS considerations for facilities using this type of storage include:

• Strict entry bans or permit systems for controlled atmosphere spaces
• Clear, visible warning signage at all access points
• Oxygen monitoring devices with audible alarms
• Documented safe work method statements for maintenance and repair tasks
• Regular OHS training so workers understand the risk before approaching restricted zones

Employers running similar plant setups should review their own controls against these benchmarks, particularly where cool room access overlaps with loading dock or delivery driver duties.

Lessons for Fruit Growers and Cold Storage Operators

This case echoes other recent incidents, including the VIC metal company facing charges following a fatal crushing incident and the builder facing charges following a fatal incident at a Melbourne factory, both of which highlight how quickly workplace safety failures can turn fatal.

Businesses seeking to strengthen their own safety documentation may find value in a Cool Room Construction SWMS Pack or a dedicated Cool Room Repair SWMS, both designed to address the specific hazards tied to controlled atmosphere and low-temperature environments.

An Incident & Hazard Reporting Module for Victoria can also help plant operators capture near-misses before they escalate, while broader incident management checklists, forms and registers support consistent reporting practices across a site.

Final Word

Five charges were laid against the Shepparton fruit grower, GVIP Storage Pty Ltd, following the truckie's death, and the outcome of this Shepparton Magistrates' Court hearing will be closely watched by fruit growers and cold storage operators nationwide.

Facilities handling chemical-based ripening or preservation processes alongside controlled atmosphere storage should also consult guidance such as SOPs for Chemical Handling & Storage to ensure every aspect of site safety, not just oxygen control, meets current OHS expectations.

Read the original article here.