INADEQUATE training, a lack of protective equipment and poor work procedures have led to a conviction and $300,000 fine for the employer of a man who died while changing a lightbulb.
“Other employers must learn from this company’s mistakes,” WorkSafe’s Executive Director, John Merritt, said.
“As this company demonstrated safety improvements can be achieved quickly, but you don’t have to wait until someone dies. It’s little consolation for families when it’s done after the event.”
Camden Neon manufactures and carries out maintenance on display signage. It pleaded guilty to one charge laid under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.
Sion Rees, 26, of Sunbury died in hospital four days after receiving an electric shock as he removed broken glass from a ‘live’ light fitting at a Coburg North car yard in April last year.
He had not been provided with protective gloves and was using an un-insulated screwdriver.
Passing sentence, Judge Sue Pullen said the company’s working practices were grossly inadequate or non-existent.
“Simple procedures could have prevented the death of this young man….it was only good luck that there had not been a fatality before,” she said.