Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics fined $800,000 over driver death
06 May 2024•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics Pty Ltd has been convicted and fined $800,000 after a truck driver was fatally struck by an oncoming vehicle during a heavy vehicle changeover at Clybucca, NSW.
The incident occurred on 6 July 2021 on Macleay Valley Way. The 52-year-old driver was carrying out a vehicle changeover when he was struck and suffered fatal injuries.
A service station at the location had been regularly used to uncouple and couple trailers on heavy vehicles travelling between Sydney and Brisbane. After the service station closed in May 2016, drivers began carrying out changeovers on the adjacent road.
The unlit section of road was approximately 370 metres long, with one lane in each direction. Its speed limit at the time of the incident was 100km per hour. Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics knew drivers were using the roadside and continued directing workers to conduct changeovers there after the service station closed.
On the night of the incident, 11 heavy vehicles were parked on the road shoulders. During the changeover, the driver walked into the northbound lane without high visibility clothing and was struck by a truck travelling at approximately 75km per hour. He died at the scene.
The company was convicted of one offence under section 32 of the Act for failing to meet its health and safety duties, exposing workers to a risk of death or serious injury. SafeWork NSW’s release also directed readers to the original incident information release for information and safety advice on managing heavy vehicle changeover risks.
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