GARBAGE TRUCK CRUSHES DRIVER: 300K FINE

Waste disposal company, Country Cart Pty Ltd, has been convicted and fined a total of $300,000 after a worker was fatally crushed by a garbage truck.

The court heard in April 2019 the driver got out of the cabin to open a front gate while collecting bins at a property in Leongatha South. Despite engaging the parking brake, the garbage truck rolled forward, crushing him.

A subsequent VicRoads inspection found the truck had several major defects, including the faulty parking brake, and was overdue for all required services. Country Cart were convicted for failing to provide and  maintain safe equipment and safe systems of work.

The court found the company had not maintained the parking brake in a condition that would hold the truck stationary when it was reasonably practicable to ensure the truck was roadworthy and without defect.

WorkSafe said the tragic death highlighted the terrible human cost of failing to follow the most basic of workplace safety procedures.

Read more here.

Share Tweet

RELATED

MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA AND SUICIDE IN FLY-IN/FLY-OUT WORKFORCES
Suicide is estimated to be the fourth leading cause of death globally, with those working in male-dominated industries such as mining and construction at higher risk than the general population. Research suggests...
Read More
NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY WEEK - DRIVE SO OTHERS SURVIVE
The week 11-18 May marks National Road Safety Week (NRSW) 2025, with statistics revealing that around 1,200 people lose their lives on Australian roads annually, with an additional 40,000+ suffering serious injuries....
Read More
INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE WORKCOVER SCHEME MODERNISATION ACT
The Victorian Government appointed Dr. Claire Noone to conduct an independent review of the Modernisation Act focusing on the financial sustainability challenges of the WorkCover Scheme and the efficacy of recent reforms.
Read More