Concrete pumping company fined $50,000 after fatal boom collapse

The Melbourne Magistrates' Court sentenced the company after it pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to provide or maintain safe plant. Prisbel was also ordered to pay $8,179 in costs.

The court heard the experienced, 40-year-old operator was pouring a concrete slab using a truck-mounted pumping machine with a 32 metre boom. He was standing in the slab and pumping the last of 10 loads when the extended boom collapsed.

The boom struck the operator on the back of his head, knocking him into the concrete and causing fatal injuries.

WorkSafe's investigation identified a metal fatigue crack that caused the king post inside the turret to snap in half. The court heard that removing and inspecting the king post may have revealed cracks a year or more before the failure.

Prisbel had organised regular inspections since buying the pump in 2010. However, none included dismantling the unit and testing critical components, including the king post, as recommended periodically under Australian Standards.

A major inspection that included non-destructive testing of the king post was a reasonably practicable measure Prisbel could have taken to reduce the risk of collapse.

WorkSafe Executive Director Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said the regulator would not hesitate to act against companies that failed to do all they could to provide a safe workplace. He described the death as preventable and acknowledged its devastating impact on the worker's family and friends.

"Proper safety testing and maintenance is crucial when working with machinery – it's just part of doing business and there's no excuse for failing to test regularly and thoroughly."

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