Victorian shire faces safety charges

The shire of Wellington in Gippsland has been committed to stand trial in the County Court after pleading not guilty to a charge laid under the OHS Act 2004.

WorkSafe has told Sale Magistrate’s Court that the Shire failed to ensure it had adequate systems in place to ensure hazard identification, risk assessment and adequate maintenance of sub-contracted plant.

The prosecution follows a December 2004 incident where a grader used by a shire sub-contractor rolled down an embankment on the Wonnangatta Road near Dargo.

Investigators found the grader had a range of safety and maintenance issues, including worn steering axle components, worn steering control valve, brittle hydraulic hoses, poor quality repairs and cables replaced with inferior components.

The case is adjourned to a date to be fixed.