Victoria water tank manufacturer charged after fatal unloading incident

Victoria Water Tank Manufacturer Charged After Fatal Unloading Incident

Victoria's workplace health and safety regulator has filed charges against a water tank manufacturer after a man was fatally injured and another seriously injured while helping unload two water tanks in 2021.

WorkSafe Victoria confirmed the company faces five charges under the OHS Act for failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace, and failing to ensure people who were not employees were exposed to unnecessary safety risks during the unloading process.

Details of the Charges

"On both occasions, it's alleged the company breached section 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act by failing to provide and maintain a safe system of work to reduce the risk to health and safety by implementing a mechanical unloading process of rainwater tanks from trucks or trailers," WorkSafe Victoria said in its statement.

Each charge carries serious penalties, reflecting the regulator's ongoing focus on safety compliance across manufacturing and freight operations. The tank maker will face court on 19 September 2023, where further details of the alleged breaches are expected to be presented.

Why This Case Matters for Workplace Safety

This incident highlights recurring risks tied to manual handling and mechanical unloading tasks across Australian workplaces. Employers must ensure safe systems of work are documented, tested, and enforced — particularly where heavy loads or non-employees are involved.

Similar cases continue to emerge across sectors. Read our coverage on the Melbourne freight company charged over fatal unloading incident, which outlines comparable failures in mechanical handling procedures, or see how WA companies faced charges after a worker's fatal fall for further context on regulatory enforcement trends.

For a broader look at how safety authorities are pursuing legal action following workplace deaths, our report on charges laid after a fatal workplace incident offers additional insight into how these prosecutions unfold.

Strengthening Safety Systems for Unloading Operations

Water tank companies and manufacturers handling heavy equipment should review their safe work method statements regularly. Our Pumpset-Sprinklers-Tanks Inspection Testing SWMS template provides a practical framework for identifying hazards before they lead to injury or worse.

Businesses operating in Victoria can also strengthen compliance using our Architectural SWMS Pack for Victoria, which supports safe work practices across construction-related tasks, including tank handling and unloading.

Robust incident reporting remains essential too. Our Incident Reporting Policy helps organisations record and respond to safety events quickly, while our Incident Management checklists, forms and registers assist teams in maintaining compliance long after an incident occurs.

Key Takeaways

• Victoria has charged a water tank manufacturer following a fatal unloading incident involving two water tanks.
• WorkSafe Victoria alleges failures to maintain safe systems of work during mechanical unloading tasks.
• The company faces five charges under the OHS Act, with court proceedings set for 19 September 2023.
• This case reinforces why manufacturers must prioritise safety systems, particularly during unloading and heavy equipment handling.

Read the full story here.