WorkSafe VIC report that following the death of elderly man who was run over by a reversing vehicle at a shopping centre loading dock, a trolley collection company was fined $200,000.
The incident occurred when two Kakos employees had just finished unloading trolleys from the vehicle’s trailer at a Southland Shopping Centre loading dock. The man was struck when the workers were reversing the shopping trolley collection vehicle out of the loading dock . He was rushed to hospital, placed on life support, but died three days following the incident.
Worksafe VIC report that the shopping trolley collection car and trailer, which reversed over the elderly man, did not have a warning beeper, flashing lights or rear view camera that might have alerted the driver. Following the incident, Kakos made a range of safety improvements, including installing reversing beepers and cameras to all of their vehicles.
WorkSafe VIC report that Judge Gullaci convicted the company and fined it $200,000, saying general deterrence was an important factor in sentencing.
WorkSafe’s acting General Manager for Health and Safety Operations, Jarrod Edwards, said the prosecution highlighted the dangers of vehicles colliding with pedestrians. “Where it is not an option to ensure pedestrians and vehicles are fully separated, it is essential that appropriate warning systems are in place to minimise the risk of collision,” he said.
“This incident was a tragedy for the man who was going about his business, and for his family.”
“Businesses must do all they can to reduce the risk of a collision, ideally by physically separating pedestrians and plant that is moving about.”
“Ensuring a traffic management plan is in place, equipping vehicles with safety measures such as reversing beepers and considering the use of a trained ‘spotter’ are just some of the ways collisions can be prevented.”
For more information, you can find the full report by WorkSafe VIC at: http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/wsinternet/WorkSafe/SiteTools/News/