City of Palmerston in $76,500 safety reforms after near-drowning of worker at Durack

A Top End council has committed to $76,500 in safety reforms to avoid a lengthy court battle after one of its workers almost drowned.

Friends of Fogg Dam have secured a new weed harvester that will be used to clear the waterway

A Territory council will spend $76,500 on safety upgrades after a dodgy weed-whacking croc cage nearly killed one of its workers.

The City of Palmerston has signed on to a NT WorkSafe enforceable undertaking to avoid further court proceedings, three years after one of its employees almost drowned while weed harvesting in the Durack lakes.

In February 2020 two workers were using an amphibious weed harvester when the machine tipped and capsized, trapping one of them underneath the water.

While they were only under for a brief time before escaping, the worker suffered injuries from the incident.

An NT WorkSafe investigation into the near-drowning revealed the council had modified the craft by installing a crocodile cage without first consulting with the manufacturer.

In August 2022 the council was charged with nine breaches of workplace safety laws, which if proven in court would have carried a maximum penalty of $7m.

But on Wednesday — 15 months after announcing the charges — NT WorkSafe confirmed it would drop all nine charges after accepting the council’s legally binding enforceable undertaking.

WorkSafe NT confirmed it would drop all nine charges after accepting the council’s legally binding enforceable undertaking following the near-drowning of one of their workers.

Under the agreement the council will spend $76,500 to on health and safety upgrades, including installing emergency communication devices and a lifebuoy on the weed harvester, providing workers with waterproof mobile phone covers and holding two water safety events.

Palmerston council will also share with other local councils their new working alone procedure, which was developed as a result of the near-drowning.

City of Palmerston chief executive Luccio Cercarelli said the council “always has and will continue to prioritise the health and safety of its employees”.

Mr Cercarelli said all of the NT WorkSafe recommendations had been implemented, with the council now “committed” to delivering the enforceable undertaking.

NT WorkSafe executive director Peggy Cheong said the incident should be a lesson to all Territory employers, as plant and machinery were a major causes of serious injury and workplace deaths.

“Modifying plant and machinery without undergoing proper consultation and assessment, especially with the manufacturer, puts workers at higher risk of harm,” Ms Cheong said.

The charges against the City of Palmerston will be withdrawn in the Darwin Local Court in December.

Originally published as City of Palmerston in $76,500 safety reforms after near-drowning of worker at Durack