A construction company tasked with upgrading roads, now faces a fine of $250,000 following the death of one of its workers.
The labourer was only on his second day on the the job with Coastal Asphalt and Civil Constructions and was laying asphalt when a three-tonne multi-wheeled roller ran over and crushed him. The incident in question occurred in January 2010 and was said to have been caused when the man was helping a vehicle operator clear asphalt stuck to the roller.
A preliminary investigation by WorkCover revealed that the Gosford company had failed to adequately train or supervise the labourer.
”This tragedy could have been avoided had there been the right instruction and the vehicle properly maintained,” the NSW Finance Minister, Greg Pearce, said on Thursday.
The worker was removing the asphalt from the roller by spraying it with diesel, when suddenly the brakes were accidentally released, causing the vehicle to roll forward and crush him.
”The incident could have been prevented if the roller’s built-in diesel spray unit had been working,” Mr Pearce said.
The company has pleaded guilty to a breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and will pay a fine of $250,000 plus court costs.
More info on Construction Safety
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/fine-for-company-in-roadroller-death-20130117-2cw46.html#ixzz2ISEbXwZd
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