Vic metal finisher charged after fatal crush incident

WorkSafe Victoria has charged metal galvanising business GB Galvanizing Service Pty Ltd for failing to protect workers from the risks of working under suspended loads at a Dandenong South factory. In March 2022, a 53-year-old worker was killed when the lifting equipment he was operating became detached, leading to steel beams weighing several tonnes falling on him.

The company is facing two charges under section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing to provide and maintain a working environment that was safe and without risks to health.

The company also allegedly breached regulation 115(3)(b) of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations by failing to ensure that no loads being lifted were suspended over, or travelled over, a person. WorkSafe also alleges that the company breached section 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act by failing to provide or maintain a safe system of work to eliminate or reduce the risk of serious injury or death from falling loads.

Image credit: iStock.com/Krasimir Kanchev