Malaga-based D&G Hoists & Cranes and two of its directors have been fined a total of $180,000 over the death of a 22-year old worker in October 2007.
D& G was found guilty of failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace and causing the death of a worker in the Perth Magistrates Court in December.
Rigger Luke Murrie suffered a fatal head injury after being hit by a 375-kilogram section of crane mast that fell out of a pack of 16 sections being moved by a crane.
Company directors David Keating and Luigi Decesare were found guilty of breaching a section of the Occupational Safety and Health Act dealing with offences that occur which are attributable to their neglect as a director.
The Perth Magistrates Court today handed down a $90,000 fine to the company, and fined the directors $45,000 each.
Acting WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch said the case was a reminder that safe work practices were crucial in every workplace.
"The case also illustrates that directors have an obligation to directly intervene if necessary in situations where unsafe work practices are taking place," Mr McCulloch said in a statement.
"The court was told that the slinging practice used was inherently dangerous because it relied heavily on the packing straps supporting the load, which they clearly did not.
"The court found that it would have been practicable for safe work practices to have been in place, which may well have prevented this tragic loss of a young life."
