VIC metal company facing charges following fatal crushing incident

VIC metal company facing charges following fatal crushing incident after a galvanizing worker died beneath a load lifted by faulty crane equipment at a Dandenong South factory. WorkSafe Victoria has filed two charges against the firm under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, citing failures to protect employees from hazardous suspended loads.

Summary of the Case

WorkSafe has brought charges against a metal galvanizing company for not ensuring safety of workers who were exposed to hazards of working under suspended loads at a factory in Dandenong South.

The company has been charged with two violations under section 21(1) of the OHS Act for failure to ensure a safe and risk-free working environment for employees. This case echoes a similar Victorian company fined following fatal crushing incident, highlighting ongoing concerns around crane operations and load-handling equipment in industrial settings.

What Happened During the Incident

In March of 2022, a worker aged 53 sustained fatal injuries after lifting machinery he was using malfunctioned, causing heavy steel beams to collapse on top of him. Reports indicate the crane involved in the operation failed unexpectedly, resulting in a fatal crush that claimed the life of an experienced factory employee.

Suspended loads carried by cranes remain among the most hazardous elements of manufacturing work, particularly when lifting machinery is not properly maintained or inspected before each task.

Court Proceedings and Next Steps

Case has been scheduled for a filing hearing at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 28 March 2024. Should charges proceed, findings could set further precedent for how OHS obligations apply to crane-operated environments across manufacturing sectors.

Similar enforcement actions have followed other fatal incidents nationally, including a case where a WA meat processing company charged following fatal workplace incident faced comparable scrutiny for inadequate safety controls, and another where charges were filed against a VIC fruit grower following fatal incident in cool storage room.

Why Crane Safety Matters for Employers

Employers operating cranes or lifting machinery carry direct responsibility under OHS legislation to identify hazardous conditions before they cause harm. Effective health and safety management requires regular equipment inspections, documented maintenance schedules, and clear reporting procedures whenever crane faults are suspected.

Robust incident reporting systems help businesses respond quickly to equipment failures and reduce risks tied to suspended loads. SafetyDocs offers an Incident & Hazard Reporting Module for Victorian workplaces to support compliance efforts, alongside a dedicated Incident Reporting Policy for organisations seeking structured documentation practices.

For businesses managing vehicle fleets alongside crane operations, a formal Company Vehicle Policy can further strengthen overall workplace risk controls.

Building Stronger Incident Management Practices

Health outcomes for workers depend heavily on how quickly hazards are identified and addressed after equipment malfunctions. Comprehensive checklists, forms, and registers support consistent incident management practices across manufacturing and industrial sites.

Safety professionals reviewing this case should consider auditing crane maintenance logs and worker training records to confirm lifting equipment meets current OHS standards before operation resumes.

First published on the WorkSafe Victoria website.