Three Australian companies have been fined a total of $770,000 after pleading guilty to workplace safety violations that led to the death of a truck driver in July 2022. The fines were issued by the Perth Magistrates Court on October 14, 2023, alongside an order for the companies to cover costs amounting to $16,000. The involved companies—Resource Operations and Maintenance Services Pty Ltd, Diverse Management Services Pty Ltd, and Technologies International Group Pty Ltd (operating as Welltech Total Water Management)—failed to ensure the safety of individuals affected by their operations.
The incident occurred during the construction of earthworks at a mine in the Pilbara region, which involved significant water use. The mine operator had requested Resource Operations to provide a specific mobile water pump known as a “MegaFill pump.” This pump, which features two extendable booms, was procured from Technologies International by Diverse Management Services.
The MegaFill pump was not adequately secured during its transport back to Perth by RGR Road Haulage after the work was completed. While a ratchet strap was placed over the intake boom, workers neglected to attach critical safety measures, including a chain and a travel mount bolt. As a result, the boom became unsecured while the pump was being transported on the Great Northern Highway.
On the night of July 25, 2022, tragedy struck when the unsecured boom struck a truck traveling in the opposite direction, resulting in the fatality of the truck driver. Following this incident, Technologies International Group developed a new restraint system to prevent such occurrences in the future. The company acknowledged that it was feasible to implement engineering controls to ensure the booms remained stationary during transport, yet failed to do so prior to the incident.
WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North emphasized the critical need for adherence to operating procedures, particularly when transporting heavy equipment. “A truck driver was just doing his normal job of driving when, out of nowhere at night, he was struck and killed by an unsecured section of a load being transported in the opposite direction,” North stated. She highlighted that both Resource Operations and Diverse Management Services did not take adequate steps to secure the pump, while Technologies International Group bore responsibility for not installing preventive measures.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of workplace safety and accountability. North pointed out that none of the involved companies took all reasonably practicable measures to mitigate risks, resulting in a tragic loss of life. RGR Road Haulage has also pleaded guilty to a separate charge connected to the incident, with sentencing pending.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining safety standards within the mining and construction sectors, stressing the importance of rigorous compliance with safety protocols to protect all personnel involved.
