Three companies charged over fatal boom lift crush
24 June 2025•BlueSafe Team•Source: WorkSafe VIC
Three companies face charges following the death of a 25-year-old man who was crushed between roof rafters and the basket of a boom lift he was operating.
The man suffered serious injuries in the incident and later died in hospital.
Plumbing operator Ridge Commercial Pty Ltd faces three charges under section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act relating to an alleged failure to provide and maintain a safe workplace. WorkSafe alleges two breaches of section 21(2)(a) involving failures to provide or maintain safe plant and safe systems of work. It also alleges a breach of section 21(2)(b) for failing to ensure a trained and licensed safety observer was present throughout boom lift operation.
Construction company Maben Group Pty Ltd also faces three charges under section 21(1) of the Act relating to an alleged failure to provide and maintain a safe workplace. WorkSafe alleges two breaches of section 21(2)(e) for failing to provide employees with necessary supervision during boom lift operation. A further alleged breach of section 21(2)(b) concerns a failure to arrange an appropriate induction for workers when the boom lift arrived on site.
Equipment hire provider Licojo Pty Ltd faces two charges under section 23(1) of the Act relating to an alleged failure to ensure people other than its employees were not exposed to health and safety risks.
WorkSafe alleges Licojo failed to ensure the boom lift’s operator protection alarm worked. It also alleges the company failed to ensure a worker who serviced the boom lift before the incident was licensed and adequately trained.
The matters are scheduled for a filing hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 1 July 2025.
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