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.