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
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
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.
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.
More Coverage
Originally published as NT WorkSafe charges City of Palmerston with nine breaches of Work Health and Safety
Fire fears as heritage-listed mural sits forgotten after $3m acquisition
A fire danger period being declared hasn’t spurred the government into action over a site it acquired for more than $3 million – leading to fears an important piece of NT heritage could be reduced to ash.
Ankle monitors no deterrent for young crims as cafe boss hit twice
Two hospitality venues in Palmerston have been ransacked to the tune of about $20,000, with incredible CCTV stills illustrating at least one devil-may-care youth offender wearing an ankle monitoring bracelet.
‘Support us’: Flood-prone community holds emergency meeting with authorities
A remote Top End community with a long history of being hit by floods has met with authorities, calling for greater emergency support and a long-term solution to house their residents.
Darwin soldier claims boozy brawl was a ‘preemptive strike’
A young Darwin soldier has claimed his defence training spurred him to shatter a man’s jaw in a popular Top End nightclub.
REPLAY: Magpies impress in first outing of new campaign
Is this a changing of the guard moment in the NTFL women’s competition? A young Palmerston side has overcome a rebuilding Waratah to kick off their season in style. Check the REPLAY.
REPLAY: Waratah kick 14 goals in a row on way to massive win
Palmerston actually led this at the end of the first quarter, but Waratah weren’t long in finding form and showed their class with a devastating burst of majors. Watch the REPLAY now.