G.B Galavanizing Services slapped with massive fine after Scott Beattie was crushed under eight tonnes of steel
The son of a Dandenong factory worker has told a court of his anguish after his dad was crushed in a tragic workplace accident.
South East
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The son of a Dandenong factory worker says his dad’s death has “left a permanent hole in his life”, after he was crushed by eight tonnes of steel in a workplace accident.
Dandenong based G.B Galavanizing Services fronted the County Court on Friday for sentencing, after the death of 53-year-old factory worker Scott Beattie.
The company had previously pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to provide or maintain a system of work that was safe and without risks to health.
Mr Beattie had been working beneath a suspended load of steel when it became unclipped and fell onto him on March 18 in 2022.
The court heard the anguish of Mr Beattie’s son Jacob, in a heartbreaking victim impact statement read on Friday.
“My dad was my role model, I looked up to him and he taught me important values about hard work and kindness,” the court heard.
“I feel lost and uncertain about my future, I don’t know how to handle situations that I would normally ask my dad for advice with.
“His death has left a permanent hole in my life.”
Jacob said losing his dad was “the hardest thing” he’s ever gone through, but hoped to one day “find peace and healing”.
“I miss him everyday,” the court heard.
“There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think about him — I hope I’m making him proud.”
CCTV of the workplace showed another 69 incidents where workers had worked or walked beneath the suspended load before Mr Beattie’s last moments.
Mr Beattie had worked for G.B Galavanizing Services for 17 years.
Justice Fiona Todd said Mr Beattie’s death was “indescribable tragic”.
“The objective seriousness of this breach was catastrophic,” she said.
“The loss of Mr Beattie is immeasurable.
“It is incapable of being expressed in units of money — the fine does not and cannot attempt to do so.”
G.B Galavanizing Services was convicted and fined $340,000 for the breach.
The company was also ordered to publish an adverse publication of half a page in an industry specific publication.
