Norman Carriers Pty Ltd: Freight company charged after worker crushed in Altona North

A freight company in Melbourne’s west has been accused of unsafe work practices after a man was fatally crushed while unloading steel poles.

An Altona North freight company has been accused of unsafe working practices after a worker was killed while unloading steel light poles.

The 56-year-old employee of Norman Carriers Pty Ltd was fatally crushed in June 2020 while working at the company’s Altona North freight yard.

At the time he was unloading large steel light poles from a truck when two sections became unstable and fell, crushing him in the process.

Victorian health and safety regulator, WorkSafe, charged the company this week after a two-year investigation, alleging the company breached the Occupational Health and Safety act.

The regulator alleges Norman Carriers failed to maintain a safe working environment and failed to provide adequate training that would enable workers to unload trucks safely.

According to the company‘s website, Norman Carriers has been operating as a freight handling service provider for more than 65 years in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

The company held a funeral procession involving company vehicles on June 17, 2020, to farewell the killed man, describing him as a “colleague and dear friend”.

“A special thanks to all who came to say goodbye to our colleague and dear friend John,” the company shared online.
“And thank you to all our clients for your patience and understanding that allowed us to stop and pay tribute.”

The matter will face the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 15.