Victorian taxi company charged for OHS violations leading to passenger deaths

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Victorian Taxi Company Charged for OHS Violations Leading to Passenger Deaths

A Victorian taxi company faces charges after two passengers died when their wheelchairs tipped backwards during transport. This news has drawn fresh attention to occupational safety standards across the transport sector.

WorkSafe has charged the company with four counts under the OHS Act over its failure to ensure passengers were not exposed to unnecessary risks. Authorities allege the operator neglected duties owed to vulnerable passengers relying on wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

What WorkSafe Alleges

WorkSafe alleges the company failed "to provide and maintain a safe system of work and failed to train taxi drivers in line with the manufacturer's instructions for the wheelchair tie-down system." This failure sits at the heart of the charges now before court.

Proper training on tie-down equipment forms a critical part of preventing incidents like this. Without adherence to manufacturer guidance, restraint systems cannot function as intended, putting passenger health and wellbeing at serious risk.

Court Proceedings Ahead

Parties will appear in court later this month for a filing hearing. Coverage of this case, along with related safety news, was first published here.

Why This Case Matters for Safety Standards

Incidents involving passenger deaths raise urgent questions for operators across Australia who rely on specialised vehicle equipment. Businesses managing accessible transport must treat manufacturer instructions as non-negotiable, not optional guidance.

This case echoes other recent enforcement action, including a Tasmanian company charged over jumping castle deaths and Darwin solar installers charged for fall safety violations. Together, these cases highlight a pattern: regulators are pursuing operators who fall short on systematic safety obligations, regardless of industry.

Employers should also note enforcement isn't limited to physical hazards. A Victorian company director charged for bullying employees shows regulators scrutinise psychosocial health as closely as physical safety.

Lessons for Operators and Employers

Businesses operating specialised equipment, including wheelchair tie-down systems, should:

• Follow manufacturer instructions precisely for all safety-critical equipment
• Provide documented, ongoing training for staff operating restraint systems
• Regularly audit systems of work against current OHS Act requirements
• Maintain equipment maintenance records to demonstrate compliance

Robust documentation matters here. A well-maintained SOP for equipment maintenance helps operators demonstrate due diligence and reduces exposure to breaches under safety law.

Supporting Compliance Under the OHS Act

Victorian businesses can strengthen their compliance position using structured management tools such as the OHS Manual - Victorian Version, which outlines obligations under the OHS Act in practical terms.

Pairing this with an OHS Recording Centre – Victorian Version supports consistent record-keeping, while an OHS Emergency Plan - Victorian Version ensures businesses respond effectively if incidents occur.

For organisations navigating harmonised requirements nationally, our guide to OHS Harmonisation explains how state-based OHS obligations align with broader national frameworks.

This case serves as a stark reminder that safety systems must extend beyond paperwork into everyday practice. Regulators continue monitoring compliance closely, and further safety news on enforcement outcomes will follow as the matter progresses through court.

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