Australian transport company fined $110,000

A transport company in Victoria, Australia has been convicted and fined $110,000 as of 21st August. The company was found to have failed to maintain safe vehicles and systems of work after two drivers were injured in separate milk tanker incidents in 2020. The offence follows earlier convictions and a $490,000 fine in June 2022 for the death of a tanker driver in an incident in 2018.

Recent prosecution of the transport company

The latest prosecution took place in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on August 21st. A worker raised issues with a tanker he was to drive in February 2020 but a supervisor dismissed the concerns and deemed the truck safe. Whilst driving, he realised the brakes were faulty and, as he attempted to slow down, the prime mover and trailer drifted in opposite directions and jack-knifed. The driver was taken to hospital with soft tissue and finger injuries. Accordingly, a WorkSafe investigation was conducted and they found that the company had safety issues with the tankers, such as:

• inefficient brake slack adjusters
• worn brake drums, and
• deflated suspension airbags.

As a result, the company was found to be at fault as the incidents could have been prevented by ensuring its tankers were kept in a safe mechanical condition or replaced. They also could have maintained a system of work to ensure vehicles with reported defects were not driven until repaired.

Managing transport vehicle risks

In light of these incidents, to manage work-related vehicle risks employers are reminded to:

• Ensure appropriate safe systems of work are in place and that these are regularly monitored, reviewed, and revised.
• Ensure regular vehicle inspections, servicing, and maintenance are undertaken.
• Ensure pre-operation checks are conducted daily on essential components such as brakes, steering, tires, indicators, oil leaks, and suspension.
• Not allow untrained, unlicensed, or inexperienced people to operate vehicles.
• Implement a system to ensure people are competent to conduct the work.
• Establish appropriate rules and standards for safe road use (including speed limits for travel and maneuvers).
• Communicate all safety information to drivers and others.

‍

Sources

‍Trucking company fined $110,000 after post-fatality safety warnings ignored by WorkSafe VIC, August 21st, 2023