NT WorkSafe charges City of Palmerston with nine breaches of Work Health and Safety

The City of Palmerston could face a penalty of more than $7m following a 2020 incident with one of its workers. SEE WHY

THE City of Palmerston has been charged with nine breaches of Work Health and Safety Laws after an employee almost drowned in 2020.

The incident occurred in February 2020, when an amphibious weed harvester tipped and capsized while two council employees removed weeds from lakes in Durack.

One employee was trapped under the machinery for a brief time before escaping but was injured on the way out.

NT WorkSafe will allege the City of Palmerston failed to follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions.

“One of the recommendation not followed was when the City of Palmerston modified the craft by installing a crocodile cage without first consulting with the manufacturer on how this modification would affect the craft’s stability and safety during operation,” an NT WorkSafe spokesman said.

One of the lakes in Durack.

If found guilty of the nine charges under both the Work Health and Safety Act and Work Health and Safety Regulations, the City of Palmerston could face a maximum penalty of $7,090,000.

The City of Palmerston was unable to comment on the matter as it was subject to legal proceedings.

The matter will be heard in Darwin Local Court on Monday, August 29.