Jun 4th 2026 |
Vic recycling facility faces charges following worker death
Quick answer: WorkSafe Victoria has charged a Broadmeadows recycling facility after a 26-year-old employee was fatally crushed by a reversing front-end loader in July 2024. Six charges allege inadequate traffic management and unmaintained reversing aids on mobile plant.
Worker dies after loader reverses at Broadmeadows recycling centre
A recycling facility has been charged by WorkSafe Victoria after an employee was fatally struck by machinery. The incident happened in July 2024.
The 26-year-old employee was engaged in sorting recycled items at the facility when an articulated front-end loader, driven by a coworker, backed into him, leading to fatal crush injuries.
Six charges laid under the OHS Act
The company is facing six allegations under section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for not offering and maintaining, as far as reasonably possible, a workplace that was safe and free from health hazards.
WorkSafe claims the recycling centre violated section 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act on three occasions by ‘failing to implement an appropriate traffic management system; failing to install a reversing camera on the plant; and failing to repair the plant’s reversing alarm, rear view mirror, or two cabin windows that obscured the operator’s view.’
Find out more in the WorkSafe Victoria news release.
Why mobile plant management failures keep proving fatal
Reversing vehicles remain a leading killer at resource recovery services nationwide, largely because blind spots behind articulated machines swallow anyone on foot. Safe Work Australia guidance is unambiguous: eliminate interaction between pedestrians and powered equipment first, then layer on engineering and administrative management controls. Prosecution news of this kind sharpens focus for safety leaders in every state.
For any waste management services operator, that duty extends well past a traffic management plan pinned in the crib room. Pre-start inspections, honest defect reporting and responsive maintenance services keep alarms, mirrors and cameras working when seconds count.
Traffic management controls for recycling facilities
- Documented site traffic study: map haul roads, exclusion zones and walkways, reissuing drawings whenever site services or layouts shift.
- Pedestrian management: barriers, bollards and dedicated gates beat signage every time.
- Plant inspection regime: daily pre-start checks, with defect tags withdrawing machines from operational services until repairs finish.
- Reversing technology: cameras, proximity detection and audible alarms reduce dependence on driver judgement alone.
- Spotter and radio protocols: agreed hand signals, positive communication, plus firm no-go rules behind reversing plant.
- Competency verification: licences checked, inductions completed and refresher training services scheduled for each operator.
- Fatigue management: rosters that reflect long hours across collection services and sorting lines.
- Contractor management: visiting drivers, transport services and labour-hire personnel briefed before entering a yard.
Embedding plant and traffic controls in your safety management system
Documented procedures turn good intent into repeatable practice. A mature management system links plant risk assessments, vehicle movement diagrams, permit records and training registers, so evidence sits ready for regulator scrutiny.
Effective management review closes the loop: audit controls quarterly, investigate near misses, then update management plans whenever equipment, services or site conditions change.
Management responsibilities for officers and supervisors
- Officer due diligence: senior management verifies resourcing rather than assuming compliance.
- Supervisor accountability: line management enforces exclusion zones on every shift.
- Consultation: sorting crews and health and safety representatives shape workable controls.
- Incident management: notify the regulator immediately, preserve a scene, then clear access for emergency services.
- Records management: retain inspection logs, toolbox notes and maintenance dockets.
- Wellbeing: counselling services and peer support after traumatic events.
Related safety news and prosecutions
- Vic companies face charges over death of worker
- Vic power station facing charges over worker death
- Defence faces charges over employee’s death
News coverage of enforcement action carries hard lessons for every yard. Our blog publishes industry news and regulator updates weekly, while our newsletter delivers fresh alerts straight to your inbox.
Templates and document services
SafetyDocs by SafetyCulture supplies instantly downloadable templates that help management teams record controls, inductions and verification services. Popular downloads include:
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