I work in a dangerous industry

There was an incident 2 days ago at a heavy industry business a few doors from my place of work.
A 16 year old male was using an overhead crane and unfortunately he was standing directly below the suspended load.
Something gave way and the load fell on him. He died of a crush injury.
I use overhead cranes moving loads up to 10 tons. At any moment there could be equipment failure.
With this in mind, we never stand under a suspended load.
A 16 year old does not understand what can go wrong and it was up to his fellow workers to look out for him.
A tragedy that should never have happened.

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Gusman · 61-69, M

Company fined $975,000 for death of 16-year-old.

https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/record-975000-fine-over-death-of-16-year-old-worker

Industrial Manslaughter laws were introduced in 2022. I have no idea why this was not enacted.

The offence will apply where those who have a duty under the Act have failed to comply with that duty and that failure to comply caused a death.
Only PCBU’s (a person conducting a business or undertaking alone or with others, whether or not for profit or gain) and their officers can be charged with industrial manslaughter.

The maximum penalty for an individual is 20 years' imprisonment and a $5,000,000 fine. The maximum penalty for a company is a $10,000,000 fine.

cherokeepatti · 70-79, F

That’s terrible and so sad. But I believe a 16-year old shouldn’t be working in a job like that. Are there no rules or laws against it there?

Gusman · 61-69, M

@cherokeepatti Apprenticeships start at 15.
There was insufficient supervision. Someone so young needed to have a mentor by his side at all times.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

One of the reasons we here in the USA don't allow minors at such jobs.

Actually the insurance would be prohibitive, on top of the laws.

Company's don't even want to hire older people because of the cost of insurance. Yet add a minor, that doesn't know the first thing about safety, the insurance would skyrocket. Even if the law allowed it.

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DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@Gusman I hope he had some kind of life insurance. We did through our job.

Gusman · 61-69, M

@DeWayfarer I am sure he would not have had personal insurance. Do young people even think about that?
He most likely will be covered by the workplace.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@Gusman the jobs here have basic insurance covered by the companies. It varies by state laws how much. You can always contribute more then the basic insurance whatever they do cover.

SW-User

Sad they would allow a 16 year old on such a dangerous work environment without the right training.

Gusman · 61-69, M

@SW-User He should have had a mentor with him at all times. Someone is going to be found negligent and will most likely/should go to prison.

deadgerbil · 26-30, M

Scary stuff. Heavy machines, etc will not discriminate against anyone in hurting or killing them.

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