Transport Firm Fined for Workplace Injury - Chain of Responsibility Australia

A freight transport company has been issued a $220,000 fine after a workplace accident that left a truck driver with serious injuries.

The incident occurred at Tamex Transport’s Beresfield depot, in February 2014.

A truck driver was struck in the head by a freight cage door that dislodged and fell while being removed from the trailer by a forklift.

The man suffered a depressed skull fracture and brain injury which led to long term conditions including ongoing deficits of higher cognitive functions, deafness in the right ear as well as dental and lower back injuries.

The District Court of New South Wales recently found the company guilty of failing to have an effective traffic management plan (TMP) at the depot, under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

According to the court, the company was aware of the risk of accidents of this nature. Safe work guidelines call for certain procedures such as loading,unloading exclusion zones. It also requires segregation of loading and unloading equipment and pedestrians, including drivers. Loading and unloading activity should be immediately stopped if a pedestrian ceases to be in the direct line of sight of the forklift operator.

The company will have to pay $82,000 to the court within 28 days.

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