WorkSafe Victoria has charged a Shepparton fruit grower Gvip Storage Pty Ltd with two offences following the death of a truck driver at their warehouse in March 2023.
The truck driver was found unresponsive inside the controlled atmosphere (low-oxygen) storage facility after his car was spotted still running outside the building. He was declared dead at the site.
WorkSafe alleges the company failed to reduce the risk of serious injury or death by prohibiting entry to the low-oxygenated cool room and failing to display clear and prominent warning signs about the hazardous environment.
This workplace fatality highlights the dangers present in controlled atmosphere workplaces where low oxygen levels can lead to suffocation.
If you have concerns about entry or work in poorly ventilated spaces, including controlled atmosphere rooms, you can find guidance on our OHSReps page Confined Spaces & Poorly Ventilated Areas - OHS Reps, or refer to the Safe operations of cold storage facilities handbook - WorkSafe Victoria.
Read more: Fruit grower charged over cool room death | WorkSafe Victoria