Milk tanker charges: WorkSafe alleges transport company knew trucks were unsafe

A Gippsland transport operator permitted workers to drive unsafe milk tankers that crashed, WorkSafe alleges.

Charged unsafe: WorkSafe alleges Peter Stoitse Transport was aware two of its milk tankers involved in separate 2020 crashes were unsafe. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

WorkSafe has charged a Gippsland transport operator after it allegedly permitted workers to drive unsafe milk tankers that crashed.

Peter Stoitse Transport Pty Ltd has been charged under section 32 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act with recklessly engaging in conduct that placed others in danger of serious injury.

WorkSafe Victoria alleges the company directed or permitted workers to drive two milk tankers that were involved in separate crashes in February and July 2020 despite being aware the trucks were unsafe.

WorkSafe has also charged the company for breaching section 23 of the OHS Act by exposing people other than employees, namely road users, to health and safety risks when it failed to ensure unsafe milk tankers were not driven on public roads.

The company is facing a further three charges under section 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act for failing to provide or maintain safe plant; and failing to provide or maintain safe systems of work to ensure vehicles were free of mechanical defects and driver fatigue was managed.

The matter is listed for a filing hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this Wednesday.