A Western Australian company has been issued a record-breaking fine of nearly $1 million, plus costs, over the death of a teenager who was critically injured at a Perth factory two years ago.<\/p>\n
Hamiora Sharland, 16, suffered crush injuries when a steel beam weighing 425 kilograms fell on his chest at the TLC Surface Treatment factory in the suburb of Welshpool on June 15, 2023.<\/p>\n
He was taken to hospital but died shortly after.<\/p>\n
The beam was suspended on a monorail system and the teenager was assisting with spray painting and sandblasting at the time.<\/p>\n
Two years before, WorkSafe had issued the company with a notice prohibiting work under suspended loads.<\/p>\n
Company ordered to pay nearly $1m<\/p>\n
RPC Surface Treatment, which has the business name of TLC Surface Treatment, has been fined $975,000, the biggest fine ever delivered under WA’s workplace safety and health laws.<\/p>\n
It had pleaded guilty in the Magistrates Court in Perth to two charges of failing to ensure the safety of a worker.<\/p>\n
The company has also been ordered to pay costs of $3,348.50.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A court orders RPC Surface Treatment, also known as TLC Surface Treatment to pay more than $1m after it pleads guilty. (ABC News: Keana Naughton)<\/p>\n
WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North said there was “no question” the company was aware of the risks of working under suspended loads, but had “inadequate systems” for managing safety.<\/p>\n
“Persons conducting a business or undertaking should conduct a thorough risk assessment of work activities involving the lifting of heavy items in consultation with workers and must put controls in place to reduce the risk of injury to worker,” she said.<\/p>\n
“This was a particularly tragic incident as it involved the death of a very young worker.<\/p>\n
“The substantial penalty is evidence of how seriously the courts view incidents of this nature.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n