A gate manufacturing and repair company has been charged by WorkSafe Victoria after the death of revered truckie Stuart Baker last year.
Gate Automation Systems Pty Ltd is facing a single charge of failing to ensure persons other than employees were not exposed to health and safety risks.
It is alleged the company had left a gate in an unsafe condition by removing parts so it could only be moved manually.
The removal of these parts, left the gate at risk of falling from its rails, exposing people to the risk of being crushed which could cause serious injury or death.
It is alleged the company did nothing to mitigate the risk of the gate falling after the parts were removed.
The 12m wide gate allegedly did fall and caused the death of 59-year-old Baker at Membrey’s Transport and Crane Hire in Dandenong in April last year.
“It’s still very sad,” texted Baker’s long-time boss Craig Membrey from the US where he is working.
“I lost a very good, hard, loyal worker.”
The matter is listed for a filing hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on May 9.