Recycling company fined $175,000 after worker crushed under skid steer loader

A Geelong recycling company has been convicted and fined $175,000 following the death of a worker who was struck and run over by a skid steer loader at its Grovedale transfer station.
 
The Company pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to provide a safe working environment under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 by failing to eliminate the risk of powered mobile plant colliding with pedestrians.

It was also ordered to pay $3,580 costs.

The Geelong Magistrates Court heard that on 6 May 2016 a 29-year-old yard hand working at the transfer station was walking back from a pile of waste carrying a sheet of material when he was struck by the skid steer loader as it was reversing.

The man then fell under the machine and was run over.  He died at the scene.

The court heard that while The Company had some safety measures in place at the time of the incident, including instructions for workers to keep certain distances from mobile machinery, these controls were not being monitored or adhered to.

It also heard that The Company did not have an adequate traffic management plan in place to separate workers from the machine while it was operating, and that workers were allowed to work in and around the machine.
 
Safety measures that should be considered include:
• Ensuring workers are provided with appropriate training and supervision.
• Ensuring workers and members of the public (such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorists) are isolated and separated from powered machinery and vehicles. 
• Ensuring appropriate signage is in place and barriers are erected where appropriate. 
• Identifying  and controlling visibility issues, particularly if lighting is poor (eg. fog, rain, night works).
• Ensuring the machinery is regularly inspected and maintained.
 
ISOsafe provide workplace  training, at your location and prepare compliance documents such as Traffic Management Plans to ensure complete compliance. Avoid workplace incidents and costly penalties – call ISOsafe today on 1300 789 132.

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How to get ISO 9001

Preparing your business for certification to standards such as ISO 9001 or ISO 45001 can seem daunting. If you’re looking to get ISO 9001 certified for the first time (or recertified due to a lapsed accreditation). We can help.

Below you’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to get ISO 9001 certified quickly all the while benefiting from the experience by improving the goods and services your business produces.

STEP ONE: CHOOSE THE RIGHT CERTIFICATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS

The first step for any organisation is making sure that the ISO or Australian Standard (AS) you’ve chosen is the right fit for your organisation. In many instances, your potential customers or clients may require your business to hold a specific endorsement, such as ISO 9001.

STEP TWO: FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH THE STANDARD

Buying a copy of the standard can be useful, but isn’t necessarily required. In truth, the jargon involved may even put you off! This is where ISOsafe can add value to the process. We are able to guide you and your business through the ISO 9001 certification process from start to finish. As part of our service we are able to bring experience and professionally prepared systems to ensure your business is certified, without disruption and unnecessary costs.

STEP THREE: LEADING THE WAY

Implementing an ISO management system needs to be an organisation-wide. This can only be done with the involvement of management at each level.

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STEP FOUR: USING A CONSULTANT

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Beware of ‘ready made’ management systems which may not suit your organisation.

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Towing company fined $275,000 in relation to truck driver’s death

A towing company was convicted and fined $275,000 over an incident in which an employee loading a boom crane onto a truck parked on a suburban road was struck and seriously injured by a van.

The employee died several days later in hospital.
  
the company, of Sunshine North, pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to provide a safe system of work, and one charge of failing to ensure that persons other than employees were not exposed to risks to their health and safety arising from the conduct of the employer’s undertaking. The company was also ordered to pay costs of $12,000.

The court heard that on August 5, 2015 the employee had arrived at an equipment hire company in Derbyshire St, Williamstown to collect a 20m long boom crane to transport to Tullamarine. He parked his prime mover in Derbyshire St and began the process of loading the crane onto the trailer.

Just before 5am, the employee was in the cage of the crane, in the middle of the road, when it was struck by a van driving along the street. The van driver was not injured, but the employee was seriously injured in the incident and died several days later.

It was dark and raining at the time of the incident, and there were no safety lights, traffic cones or warning measures in place to warn motorists of the crane being loaded onto the trailer. Illuminated lights at the rear of the trailer were obscured by its loading ramps and the street was a no standing zone. 

The court heard that the company operated a number of trucks which were used to transport mobile plant and equipment to different locations. Its drivers would often park in Derbyshire St.

It was told the company had exposed employees and road users to the risk of serious injury by failing to have a traffic management plan in place, and had failed to train its drivers to understand the risks associated with loading and unloading machinery on public roads.

For more information about traffic management planning contact ISOsafe on 1300 789 132, or email us at enquiries@isosafe.com.au