Dennis Jones Engineering facing charges of allegedly causing an apprentice serious injury

A Gippsland engineering company has faced court for the first time after it allegedly contributed to the serious injury of an apprentice.

A Gippsland industrial component manufacturer, Dennis Jones engineering and its director Dennis Jones have been charged after an apprentice was seriously injured while at work.

A Gippsland engineering company and its director have faced court after they were charged in relation to an apprentice allegedly being seriously injured while at work.

Dennis Jones Engineering and director, Dennis Jones, appeared in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for filing hearing after they were charged earlier this month.

Both parties are facing a single charge each of recklessly engaging in conduct that placed the apprentice in danger of serious injury and a single charge of failing to provide or maintain a safe system of work, totalling two charges each.

The apprentice was allegedly holding a plastic sleeve to steady a rotating length of steel pipe that was being threaded in a lathe at a workplace in Morwell when the pipe wobbled and bent, striking him in the head in October of 2021.

Dennis Jones Engineering Pty Ltd and director Dennis Jones are facing a single charge each of recklessly engaging in conduct that placed the apprentice in danger of serious injury.

The business is a specialised engineering supplier workshop located in Morwell.

It has been operating for more than 25 years, after founder Dennis Jones set up the company in 1993.

The company’s website said Mr Jones had “a love of Go-Kart racing” and this is reflected in his work.

Mr Leigh Crosbie appeared for WorkSafe to prosecute the matter and Mr Anthony Massaro appeared for defence.

Mr Massaro argued against releasing the allegations about what happened to the media.

A date was set for a committal mention, which will occur later this year.