The sister companies, based in the Sydney suburb of Ingleburn, were charged with multiple breaches of the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2000 over an incident in 2007 in which one tonne of palettes toppled onto three staff members.

One of the workers was unable to work for two months after suffering a fractured spine, a dislocated and fractured right elbow, and head wounds. 

The two other workers received minor injuries.

Workcover said the incident, which occurred 21 December 2007, could have been prevented by a safer working environment.

John Watson, WorkCover NSW general manager of Work Health and Safety Division, added that the companies had failed on multiple counts to provide a safe workplace.

“This incident highlights the need for safe stacking and storage systems, particularly where heavy materials are stored at height,” he said.

“Staff should always be appropriately inducted and trained in the safe work practices.

The companies did not respond when contacted by ProPrint.

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