Transport company fined over fall

Booth Transport was convicted and fined nearly $19,000 after a truck driver fell from his tanker at a Loxton winery, two years ago.

The driver fell nearly 4 m onto a concrete surface after the handrail he was using to balance himself gave way.

He suffered crushed vertebrae, a broken foot, collapsed lungs and psychological distress.

SafeWork SA said the incident could have been avoided through a more thorough maintenance and safety check.

“The irony here is that although the company had implemented a system of safety handrails for trucks, they did not cover them as part of a regular maintenance program,” said SafeWork SA executive director Michele Patterson.

“In this case, a worker has paid a heavy price for what was essentially an oversight in safety checks.”

The company's penalty was reduced by 25% following an early guilty plea.