Man dies after being impaled

WorkSafe has charged a hay and grain logistics company after a worker died at Ararat in December 2022.

A grain and logistics company has been charged following a workplace death, where it is alleged a man was impaled by the fork of a telehandler.

The 55-year-old man died in December 2022 when the fork attachment of a telehandler impaled him during the construction of a metal framed roller door at the workplace.

Boyd Industries Pty Ltd is facing three charges under section 23(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for allegedly failing to ensure people, other than employees, were not exposed to health and safety risks.

WorkSafe alleges the company failed to reduce, so far as was reasonably practicable, the risk of serious injury or death from the telehandler, its load, or any attachment coming into contact with a person.

It is also alleged Boyd Industries breached regulation 327(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations by failing to prepare and use a Safe Work Method Statement for high risk construction work.

The matter is listed for a filing hearing at the Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court on Friday.