VIC plumber penalised for driving utility vehicle with worker inside toolbox

A plumbing company director in Victoria has received a fine of $20,000 for driving his utility vehicle with a teenage worker confined within a toolbox.

The 31-year-old director was given a sentence in Mansfield Magistrates' Court earlier this month after admitting guilt to a charge of neglecting to maintain a safe and health-risk-free workplace under their supervision.

A WorkSafe investigation revealed that certain tools were still in the toolbox with the apprentice, posing a potential danger of severe harm or fatality in the event of a collision or sudden stop involving the ute.

WorkSafe Executive Director Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said placing a young apprentice in a vulnerable position is unacceptable.

"Illegally transporting this young apprentice in the back of a toolbox was extremely unsafe and could have had absolutely catastrophic consequences," Mr Jenkin said.

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