WorkSafe

WorkSafe is investigating the work-related death of a 35-year-old female farmhand at a property near Collie on the 20 October.

The woman was reported to have been thrown from a quad bike while rounding up cattle, which resulted in fatal injuries.

WorkSafe investigators examine the circumstances of incidents with a view to ensuring compliance and preventing future incidents of a similar nature.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Darren Kavanagh said any work-related death was a tragedy, and relayed his sincere condolences to the woman’s family and other workers at the farm.

WorkSafe is investigating the work-related death of a 50-year-old man at Bibra Lake on 18 October 2022.

Investigators have responded to a report of an incident at the premises of transport and logistics company Matic Transport.

WorkSafe investigators examine the circumstances of incidents with a view to ensuring compliance and preventing future incidents of a similar nature.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Darren Kavanagh said any work-related death was a tragedy, and relayed his sincere condolences to the man’s family and workers at the workplace.

Two companies have been fined a total of $800,000 over the death of a worker at a Welshpool factory in 2019.

L&M Radiator Pty Ltd, a company that manufactures, services and repairs large industrial radiators, pleaded guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment and, by that failure, causing the death of an employee and was fined $500,000 (and ordered to pay $11,211.50 in costs) in the Perth Magistrates Court last week.

A company involved in steel importation and land development has been fined a total of $240,000 (and ordered to pay $30,581 in costs) over an incident in which a 19-year-old worker had seven fingers amputated by forklift chains.

PT Supplies Group Pty Ltd pleaded guilty after trial to failing to provide a safe work environment and, by that failure, causing serious harm to a worker and was fined $220,000 in the Perth Magistrates Court on Monday.

The company was fined an additional $20,000 for failing to notify the WorkSafe Commissioner forthwith of the notifiable injury.

A Kununurra hydraulic repair company has been fined $375,000 and its sole director has been fined $60,000 (and ordered to pay $4456.30 in costs) over an incident that left a 19-year-old worker with serious head injuries.

CDM Hydraulics Pty Ltd and director Clinton Douglas Morey pleaded guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment and, by that failure, causing serious injury to a worker and were fined in the Kununurra Magistrates Court last week.

A Perth freight transport company has been fined $40,000 (and ordered to pay $18,996.30 in costs) after the court decided it failed to provide a safe workplace for employees.

Centurion Transport Co Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment for persons engaged by its contractors, and was fined in the Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

In October 2017, Centurion had contracted State Haul to provide additional trucks, and drivers from State Haul were engaged as a “two-up team” on a long distance drive in North-West WA.

A construction company and plumbing contractor have been fined a total of $720,000 (and ordered to pay $35,000 in costs) over an incident in which a worker drowned in a trench when a water main burst in 2018.

Ryan and Melissa Pty Ltd (trading as Vivian Plumbing and Civil) pleaded guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment and, by that failure, causing the death of an employee, and was fined $600,000 in the Perth Magistrates Court last Friday.

WorkSafe has commenced prosecution action against mining company Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) for failing to supply documents relating to 34 cases of alleged sexual harassment at their mine sites.

FMG has been charged with 34 counts of refusing or failing to comply with a requirement to provide documents to a WorkSafe inspector within a specified period without a reasonable excuse.

The documents relate to cases of alleged sexual harassment at three mining operations – Christmas Creek, Solomon and Cloudbreak.

WorkSafe is investigating the work-related death last night of a worker at BHP’s rail yard at South Hedland.

The worker was reported to have been struck by a locomotive and was confirmed as deceased at the scene.

WorkSafe investigators will examine the circumstances of the incident with a view to ensuring compliance and preventing future incidents of a similar nature. The incident is also under investigation by the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator.

WorkSafe has commenced prosecution action against a construction company over serious injuries suffered by two workers at a construction site on Rottnest Island.

Firm Construction Pty Ltd has been charged with failing to provide and maintain a safe working environment and, by that failure, causing serious harm to two employees.

In February 2020, workers employed by contractors to Firm Construction were engaged in construction work on the Hotel Rottnest Resort Development when temporary formwork collapsed, seriously injuring two workers and injuring one other less seriously.