Hearing scheduled over the workplace death of surveyor Michael Formosa on PDR near Weipa in 2022
Charges laid over the workplace death of a “loving and caring man” during upgrade works for the Peninsula Developmental Road are scheduled for hearings later this year.
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Charges laid over the workplace death of a “loving and caring man” during upgrade works for the Peninsula Developmental Road are scheduled for hearings later this year.
Cairns surveyor Michael Formosa died after he was struck by a truck and trailer on July 13, 2022 about 90km south of Weipa along the Peninsula Developmental Road while engaged in site surveying on the upgrade project.
A spokesman for the Office the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor confirmed charges had been laid against an individual and a company.
Veris Australia Pty Ltd, and Wayne John Withers, 50, are each facing a single charge of breaching the Work Health and Safety Act over the fatal road incident during upgrade works and planning on the Peninsula Developmental Road between Weipa and Coen in July 2022.
Mr Withers’ matter was mentioned in Cairns Magistrates Court this week.
Defence lawyer Shania Thomas told the court there may be an application to hear the two matters at the same time.
Magistrate James Morton adjourned the case for further mention in Cairns on January 22.
Prosecutor Bob Watson appeared by telephone, confirming the Veris case was set down for a hearing in Weipa Magistrates Court between April 28-30 this year.
A tribute to Mr Formosa on the WorkSafe Queensland Worker’s Memorial described him as a “loving and caring man to his family who left an indelible mark on all whose lives he touched”.
The tribute, penned by his partner, said Mr Formosa lived in Goldsborough but was also well-known on the Tablelands because he was a past Commodore of the Tinaroo Sailing Club.
“Mike’s death has left a hole in not only my life but the lives of others — those who were supported by him through Mates in Construction, Tinaroo Sailing Club, his fellow workers both past and present, his friends and of course us, his family,” she wrote.
“To me, Mike was my world. He gave me hope and confidence in humanity again.
“He was an absolute gentleman who placed others before himself.
“He carried the heavy loads, opened doors and taught me how to trust again.
“He was always there for me, until one day … he wasn’t.”
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Originally published as Hearing scheduled over the workplace death of surveyor Michael Formosa on PDR near Weipa in 2022
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