VIC company director to face court for driving ute with teenager inside toolbox

VIC Company Director to Face Court for Driving Ute with Teenager Inside Toolbox

WorkSafe has prosecuted a company director for driving a utility vehicle with a teenage worker riding inside a toolbox in February 2022. This latest case highlights ongoing concerns about workplace safety practices involving young workers and vehicle operations across Victoria.

Summary of the Incident

The man, aged 31, faces charges under section 26(1) of the Victorian OHS Act for failing to provide a safe work environment. Under this legislation, company directors carry direct obligations for health and safety outcomes affecting every worker under their supervision.

According to WorkSafe, a 19-year-old apprentice was directed to lie down inside the toolbox, which had been mounted on the rear of the utility vehicle. He was then transported from Tolmie to Mansfield while confined inside this compartment.

WorkSafe's Allegations

WorkSafe alleges the director failed to reduce risk of injury or death by not driving the work vehicle himself, or alternatively by not preventing the vehicle from being driven while someone remained inside the toolbox.

Such conduct raises serious safety questions for employers across Australia who transport staff or equipment using modified utes. Similar incidents have previously drawn scrutiny — see our coverage of a VIC plumber penalised for driving a utility vehicle with a worker inside a toolbox, which points to a troubling pattern within the trades sector.

Court Proceedings

The case is set for a mention hearing at Mansfield Magistrates' Court on 19 June 2024. Further updates on this matter will be shared as proceedings progress.

Why This Matters for Workplace Safety

Incidents like this reinforce why robust Company Vehicle Policy documentation matters for every business operating fleet vehicles. Clear procedures around vehicle use help prevent unsafe practices before they place workers at risk.

Employers should also consider reviewing driving-related guidance, such as our Driving Manuals, to ensure staff understand expectations around vehicle transport and passenger safety.

For more context on director accountability under Victorian law, read about a related Victorian company director charged for bullying employees, which further demonstrates how directors bear personal responsibility for workplace conduct and safety outcomes.

Read the original news article here. Stay tuned to SafetyDocs for further news updates on WorkSafe prosecutions and other safety-related news impacting Australian workplaces.