NT WorkSafe orders tip fix at Howard Springs after member of the public suffers serious injuries
A Top End council has been ordered to make improvements at one of its tips after a member of the public fell from a height into a skip bin, sustaining injuries requiring “extensive medical treatment”.
Northern Territory
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A Top End council has been ordered to make improvements at one of its tips after a member of the public fell from a height into a skip bin, sustaining injuries requiring “extensive medical treatment”.
According to information provided to the NT News by NT WorkSafe, the regulator was notified on March 2 this year about an incident that occurred at the Howard Springs Waste Transfer Station, which is operated by Litchfield Council.
“A member of the public was unloading rubbish into a skip bin while standing on the back of their trailer, when they fell into the skip bin,” the regulator said in a statement.
“NT WorkSafe Inspectors have commenced an inquiry into the incident.
“Inspectors have issued an improvement notice to the operator after visiting the incident scene to manage the risk of falls into the skip bins.
“NT WorkSafe’s inquires and compliance work with the operator are ongoing and no further comment will be provided.”
Litchfield Council CEO Stephen Hoyne confirmed the incident, which involved a “member of the public falling from height and sustaining injuries requiring extensive medical treatment”. “We understand they are recovering and wish them well,” Mr Hoyne said.
“Council fully co-operated with NT WorkSafe, facilitating site visits and actioning subsequent orders.
“Temporary safety measures were put in place at our Howard Springs Waste Transfer Station, and subsequently at our Berry Springs facility which has similar infrastructure.
“Installation of permanent safety measures at these sites is now almost complete with some minor modifications to be undertaken and signage to be installed.
“The safety of residents when using council facilities is our paramount concern.”
In a social media post in late March, the council said it expected the permanent measures to be installed by the end of May.
“Please be patient while we go through these changes. We fully understand this may be an inconvenience to users, however, implementing this improvement is a NT WorkSafe requirement,” the council said.
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