An investigation into the death of an employee who was crushed in an Elevated Work Platform (EWP) incident has resulted in WorkSafe charging three companies – a plumbing contractor, a construction company and an equipment hire provider.
In August 2023 the 25-year-old employee was operating the EWP at a North Blackburn construction site when he was crushed between the EWP basket and roof rafters.
Following their investigation WorkSafe alleges that two of the companies breached s.21 of the OHS Act, duties of employers to employees, and one company breached s.23 of the OHS Act, duties of employers to other persons.
- Ridge Commercial Pty, a plumbing contractor, faces two charges under s.21(1) of the OHS Act for failing to provide or maintain safe plant and safe systems of work, and one charge under s.21(2)(b) for failure to have a trained and licensed safety observer present during all EWP operations.
- Maben Group Ltd, a construction company, has been charged with three breaches under s.21(1) for failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace.
- Licojo Pty Ltd, the hire equipment provider, faces two charges for breaches of s.23(1) for their failure to ensure that the boom lift’s operator protection alarm was functioning, and for failing to ensure that the worker who had serviced the boom lift prior to the incident was licensed and adequately trained.
WorkSafe provides information and guidance for employers on the safe use of EWPs - Elevating work platforms | WorkSafe Victoria, and just two months before this preventable workplace fatality, WorkSafe released the Industry Standard - Elevating work platforms - For the safe use of elevating work platforms.
Read more: Three companies charged after fatal EWP crush | WorkSafe Victoria