Inadequate training, a lack of protective equipment and poor work procedures has led to a conviction and $300,000 fine for the employer of a man who died while changing a light bulb.
“Other employers must learn from this company’s mistakes,” WorkSafe’s executive director, John Merritt, said.
“As this company demonstrated c improvements can be achieved quickly, but you don’t have to wait until someone dies. It’s little consolation for families when it’s done after the event.
Camden Neon manufactures and carries out maintenance on display signage. Camden Neon pleaded guilty to one charge laid under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.
Sion Rees, 26, of Sunbury died in hospital four days after receiving an electric shock as he removed broken glass from a live light fitting at a Coburg North car yard in April last year.
He had not been provided with protective gloves and was using an uninsulated screwdriver.
Passing sentence today, Judge Sue Pullen said Camden Neon’s working practices were grossly inadequate or non-existent.
“Simple procedures could have prevented the death of this young man….it was only good luck that there had not been a fatality before.”
As in this case, Camden Neon employees routinely left the power on when they carried out sign maintenance. Camden Neon also did not have a tag and lock out procedure for use when working with electricity.
There was no written job safety analysis or work permit system before electrical work was done and employees had inadequate information, instruction and training in relation to the safe operation of the elevating work platform (EWP).
Rees’ workmate who was in the EWP with him generally worked in the company’s factory and was new to this particular job. He did not know how to operate the EWP when Rees was shocked.
Merritt said Parliament significantly increased fines under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, reflecting the community’s view that workplace safety was a serious issue.
This was the second workplace fatality case heard at the County Court under the new Act which increased the maximum fine from $250,000 to more than $990,000.
“Court-imposed penalties are rising. This will happen progressively, but they can be avoided.
“While WorkSafe supports and works with those who create and maintain safe workplaces, the community expects those responsible for health and safety breaches to be held to account.”
Twenty work-related deaths have been reported to WorkSafe this year.
The cost of treatment and rehabilitation of around 30,000 Victorian workplace injuries each year exceeds $1bn.