NT WorkSafe has charged Indervon Pty Ltd (Indervon), anAlice Springs fuel distribution company over the death of a 51-year-old fuel truckdriver in 2017.
Mr Mustapha Dahmani, a recent arrival to Alice Springs, wasinto his fourth week of employment with Indervon when he died on 16 July 2017. Atthe time of the incident, Mr Dahmani was undertaking a bulk fuel delivery run unsupervisedin a Kenworth T409 truck, despite concerns raised on Mr Dahmanis familiarityin safely operating a vehicle fitted with an 18 speed manual gearbox.
An investigation found Mr Dahmani failed to negotiate acurve in an unsealed portion of the Maryvale Road approximately 74 km south ofAlice Springs, causing the truck to tip and rollover. Mr Dahmani was notwearing a seat belt at the time of the incident.
Indervon has been charged with two breaches of Section 32 ofthe Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 for failingto comply with a health and safety duty.
NT WorkSafe will allege Indervon:
- Failed to provide adequate training, instruction andsupervision of Mr Dahmani, to safely operate a vehicle fitted with an 18 speedmanual gearbox on isolated and unsealed roads, unsupervised.
- Failed to provide a safe system of work by not acting on concernsand recommendations raised by Mr Dahmanis mentors during the induction period,relating to his competence to safely operate the companys vehicles. Theserecommendations included:
- Restricting Mr Dahmani to yard work or short deliveries onthe sealed roads within Alice Springs.
- Not allowing Mr Dahmani to undertake long distancedeliveries on unsealed roads, unsupervised.
If found guilty Indervon will face a maximum penalty of$1,500,000 for each charge.
The matter is listed for mention in the Alice Springs LocalCourt on Wednesday 14 August 2019.
Extracted from National Tribune