Farm fatality leads to fine

THE COMPANY ALSO HAS AN EXCELLENT SAFETY RECORD. THIS IS A FIRST OFFENCE. MAGISTRATE KEVIN PRIESTLY

A TOLGA avocado company has been fined $200,000 over the electrocution death of a farm worker.

The 28-year-old Chilean was in a cherry-picker trimming avocado trees at the property on Tolga-Kairi Rd when he collided with power lines.

A witness saw the farmhand’s neck come into contact with the uninsulated line. He received an electric shock from the 22,000 volt lines and died.

Golden Triangle Farming Pty Ltd, a large family business, pleaded guilty to breaching the Electrical Safety Act in August 2016.

The Cairns Magistrates Court heard that the company had warned the worker the day before and on the day he died to keep clear of the powerlines.

Magistrate Kevin Priestly, in handing down his decision this morning, said this wasn’t enough especially when there were simple steps that could have been taken including erecting a barrier or planting the trees well away from the 3m exclusion zone around the powerlines.

The court heard that at the time the company was negotiating with Ergon Energy to have some powerlines removed and that in 2014 it had other powerlines moved at a cost of $10,000.

Magistrate Priestly recognised that the company direct-

ors had shown “great compassion” in the wake of the tragedy including offering counselling to its workers and accommodating the needs of the deceased’s family.

“The company also has an excellent safety record,” Magistrate Priestly said. “This is a first offence.” Following the incident the farm removed 25 trees that had grown close to the power lines

However, they had failed to appreciate the risk not only posed by direct contact but the risk of arcing from high voltage power lines.

The maximum applicable fine that could be imposed for this matter is $500,000.

Golden Triangle was fined $200,000 plus $1596.15 costs.