Worksafe Prosecution Result - Star Track Express Pty Ltd

Date of Outcome: 24/06/2015

Outcome: On 24 June 2015, Star Track Express Pty Ltd (A.C.N. 001 227 890) pleaded guilty with respect to one charge arising out of a breach of the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004 (‘the Act’). The charge related to a failure to provide and maintain a system of work for its employees that was, so far as was reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health: section 21 of the Act. The plea was heard before his Honour Magistrate Coghlan at the Magistrates' Court at Geelong.

Star Track Express Pty Ltd (‘Star Track’) is a freight transportation company. On 1 July 2013, a Star Track truck driven collided with an electricity pole in Mercer Street, Geelong. The front seat passenger, was killed in the incident. The truck belonged to the Corio depot of Star Track.

WorkSafe's investigation identified that the truck may have had a faulty seat. However, it was not alleged that this failure caused the accident or fatality. The investigation also revealed that the Star Track depot did not have an adequate written defect reporting procedure. The failure to have an adequate written defect reporting procedure exposed employees to the risk of serious injury or death. Star Track was convicted and fined $70,000.00 with an order for costs in the amount of $6,489.00.

Court: Magistrates' Court

Fine: $70,000.00

Costs: $6,489.00

Published: 26/06/2015

Category: Failure to provide a safe system of work; Fatality

Source: From Worksafe Victoria Website