BREAKING: A commercial laundry service in Dandenong South has been hit with a staggering $270,000 fine following the tragic death of a driver who fell from a truck’s elevated tailgate. Ensign Services (Aust) Pty Ltd, operating as Laundry Services Australia, pleaded guilty to workplace safety violations at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on October 15, 2023.
The incident occurred in June 2023 when a 55-year-old driver fell 1.2 meters from the tailgate onto the concrete floor of the laundry dock. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. This heart-wrenching event underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in workplaces.
According to investigations by WorkSafe, the truck involved lacked crucial fall protection handrails at the time of the accident. Ensign admitted that it was entirely feasible to implement safety features, such as swing gates, for situations where trucks did not have handrails. This oversight has raised serious concerns about workplace standards within the industry.
WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin emphasized the critical nature of preventing falls, stating, “Since 2021, 39 workers across nearly a dozen industries have tragically lost their lives in falls from height. We have the tools and education to prevent every single one, but it’s up to employers to ensure all appropriate safety measures are in place.”
On top of the hefty fine, Ensign was ordered to pay an additional $8,500 in costs. The deceased driver’s employer, Rodrigues Transport Pty Ltd, is also facing charges related to the incident. They are set to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on November 11, 2023, as investigations continue.
This latest development highlights the urgent need for businesses to adopt stringent safety protocols to protect their workers. The emotional impact of such tragedies resonates deeply, serving as a reminder of the human cost of negligence in workplace safety.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
