Truck driver’s death leads to 360K fine

A former transport company has been fined for breaching health and safety regulations after a truck driver was fatally struck by the loading ramp of a trailer in 2019.

Acting Head of SafeWork NSW Andrew Gavrielatos said the company was sentenced after pleading guilty in the District Court of New South Wales.

“The court heard the truck driver was fatally injured after hauling two passenger vehicles from the Northern Territory to New South Wales,” Mr Gavrielatos said.

“During the course of the work trip, the driver visited the employer’s depot at Hanwood in rural NSW where it was decided a different prime mover and trailer would be used.

“The hydraulic ramps for the trailer were not inspected or tested before the drive to Sydney.”

Mr Gavrielatos reminded all workplaces to make safety a priority.

Additional information is available on the SafeWork NSW website.