Farm faces charges over fatal skid steer loader crush
08 July 2025•BlueSafe Team•Source: WorkSafe VIC
Ascot Park Farm Holding Company Pty Ltd faces two charges after a 38-year-old worker suffered fatal crush injuries while carrying out maintenance on a skid steer loader.
The worker became trapped between the loader’s bucket attachment and cabin during maintenance work.
The company is charged under section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act with failing to provide or maintain a safe working environment.
WorkSafe alleges the company breached section 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act by failing to provide or maintain safe plant. The allegation concerns its failure to have a qualified person inspect the loader and repair its safety bar interlock system before the machine was operated.
The company is also alleged to have breached regulation 98(2) of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations by failing to use engineering controls to reduce the risk of serious injury or death. Those controls included a safety bar interlock system that functioned properly.
A filing hearing is scheduled at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court for 14 July 2025.
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