2021
Brief summaries of SafeWork NSW prosecutions where there has been a finding of guilt and a conviction for 2021.
October 2021
ABC Tissue Products Pty Ltd
15 October 2021
On 10 January 2019, a worker was putting a tarp over a large stack of pulp bales when he fell 3.1 metres to the ground, at Wetherill Park.
After a SafeWork NSW investigation, the defendant, ABC Tissue Products Pty Ltd, was charged with a breach of section 32/19(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
On 15 October 2021, the defendant was convicted by the District Court and fined $450,000.
August 2021
Crawfords Freightlines Pty Ltd
27 August 2021
On 13 September 2018, a 30 year old operator suffered crush injuries when a double pack of aluminium billets fell from the tynes of a forklift and pinned him against the inside wall of a shipping container, at Sandgate.
After a SafeWork NSW investigation, the defendant, Crawfords Freightlines Pty Ltd, was charged with a breach of section 32/19(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
On 27 August 2021, the defendant was convicted by the District Court and fined $90,000.
Plasser Australia Pty Ltd
27 August 2021
On 13 March 2019, a 24 year old worker sustained serious injuries when he cut the ends of a drum with an oxi-propane torch, causing an explosion at St Marys. A second worker also sustained minor injuries.
After a SafeWork NSW investigation, the defendant, Plasser Australia Pty Ltd, was charged with a breach of section 32/19(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
On 27 August 2021, the defendant was convicted by the District Court and fined $180,000.
CPB Contractors Pty Ltd
3 August 2021
On 1 February 2018, a contractor was injured when he was struck by high pressure water while removing a spacer between two pipes, at the M4 East Motorway, Five Dock.
After a SafeWork NSW investigation, the defendant, CPB Contractors Pty Ltd, was charged with a breach of section 32/19(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
On 3 August 2021, the defendant was convicted by the District Court and fined $85,000.
May 2021
Concrite Pty Ltd
21 May 2021
On 20 September 2017, a 61 year old male truck driver was fatally injured when he walked into the path of, and was struck by, a concrete mixing truck, at work site located in Alexandria.
After a SafeWork NSW investigation, the defendant, Concrite Pty Ltd, was charged with a breach of section 32/19(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
On 21 May 2021, the defendant was convicted by the District Court and fined $450,000.
March 2021
Elgas Limited
31 March 2021
On 10 December 2015, a tanker truck driver and a member of the public sustained serious burns when an LPG gas cylinder exploded during an in situ fill at Muswellbrook.
After a SafeWork NSW investigation, the defendant, Elgas Limited, was charged with breaches of section 32/19(1) and section 32/19(2) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
On 31 March 2021, the defendant was convicted by the District Court and fined $100,000 under section 32/19(1) and $425,000 under section 32/19(2) of the Act.
Penrose Pine Products Pty Limited
05 March 2021
The offence relates to a failure by the defendant, Penrose Pine Products Pty Limited, to comply with its duty on 19 June 2017 which exposed workers to a risk of serious injury due to the operation of a conveyor connected to a wood chipping machine at the defendant’s timber saw mill at Penrose.
After a SafeWork NSW investigation, the defendant, Penrose Pine Products Pty Limited, was charged with a breach of section 32/19(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
On 5 March 2021, the defendant was convicted by the District Court and fined $75,000.