WorkSafe Vic charges two companies after crane death

WorkSafe Victoria has charged Alliance CG and Clark Cranes for failing to provide a safe working environment, after a 48-year-old man was killed and a man in his 20s was seriously injured when a kibble laden with concrete fell from a crane on 6 September 2018.

It is alleged that the North Melbourne construction company failed to provide a system of work that ensured employees did not work under suspended loads, breaching sections 21(1) and 21(2) (a) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Alliance GC also allegedly failed to provide documented information, instruction or supervision to ensure workers followed a safe system of work, thereby breaching section 26 of the Act.

The Thomastown crane hire company allegedly failed to ensure a split pin was safely inserted in the hoist rope. Clark Cranes also failed to ensure the crane was supplied and installed in a manner where it could be used safely, without risks. As a result of breaching sections 23, 30(1) (a) and 31(1), Clark Cranes was charged with three offences under the Health and Safety Act.

The matter was listed for a filing hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 18 December 2019.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Thomas Söllner