THALES COPS $450K FINE FOR FATALITY IN BENDIGO

Defence contractor Thales Australia has been fined $450,000 for safety failures resulting in a worker's death at its Bendigo factory.

Thales pleaded guilty to breaching the federal WHS Act and was convicted in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court for an incident that occurred in July 2020 when an unsecured vehicle component weighing nearly a tonne fell and fatally injured a 50-year-old worker.

The Commonwealth WHS regulator, Comcare, found that Thales had not provided a safe system of work or adequate training to employees.

Thales Australia, a licensed national employer under Commonwealth work health and safety laws, has been fined $450,000 for safety violations leading to the death of a worker at its Bendigo factory. The company failed to maintain a safe work environment and neglected to provide proper information and training to its employees. The incident occurred during an unloading operation when an unsecured vehicle component fell, causing fatal injuries to a worker. Thales admitted to breaching the Work Health and Safety Act and was convicted of a Category 2 criminal offense, which carries a maximum penalty of $1.5 million.

Thales Australia has been fined $450,000 for safety failures that led to a worker's death at its Bendigo factory. The incident occurred in July 2020 when an unsecured vehicle component weighing nearly a tonne fell, causing fatal injuries to a 50-year-old worker. Thales admitted to breaching safety regulations and was convicted of a Category 2 criminal offense under the Work Health and Safety Act, carrying a maximum penalty of $1.5 mil

 

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