After a worker fell from pallet racks and landed headfirst onto a concrete floor, a Launceston company has been fined $70,000.
The incident occurred on July 5, 2021, while the worker was checking the structural integrity of the racks at GPI Automotive Products.
He was left with a fractured skull and other serious injuries.
WorkSafe inspectors identified possible breaches of the Work Health and Safety Act, including a failure to implement the company’s duty of care.
According to the Act, employers must provide and maintain a working environment that is without risk to the health and safety of employees.
The investigation found that there was no discussion with workers about work health and safety, no safe systems of work in place and no training in several safety hazards likely to be present at the workplace.
Magistrate Evan Hughes noted that neither worker had done an induction nor had any instruction in using the walkie stacker or pallet racks and that safety equipment was not used.
He also said there was no Safe Work Method Statement for working at heights.
The court heard that the company has since changed owners and introduced changes to improve work health and safety, including implementing safety manuals and engaging a specialist WHS consultant.
Work Health and Safety Regulator Robyn Pearce said she was pleased the prosecution had been completed.
“This incident had a serious impact on the life of the worker involved,” she said.
“While it is encouraging to see that the company made positive changes after this incident, I emphasise that all employers must be vigilant about the hazards and tasks in their workplaces, to ensure the risk of harm to workers is properly managed.”
Pearce said the prosecution shows the importance of employers having safety management systems in place to protect workers.
“Training, safe work procedures, inductions and other practices are important foundations for ensuring workers are safe.”
