WorkSafe Victoria has charged a water tank manufacturer following two separate incidents that resulted in one fatality and a serious injury.

Polymaster Pty Ltd, a Swan Hill company, is facing a total of three charges under section 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act for neglecting their responsibility to provide and uphold a safe work environment free from health hazards. 

Additionally, the company confronts two more charges under section 23 of the Act for their failure to safeguard individuals, aside from employees, from potential health and safety risks.

The initial incident occurred in September 2021, when a customer was assisting a Polymaster employee in unloading a water tank in Yarroweyah, located in northern Victoria. The tank rolled off the delivery truck, causing severe injuries to the customer.

In a second incident less than three months later, a water tank delivered to a Barwon Downs property, in the south-west of Victoria, slipped off the delivery truck during unloading, resulting in the death of a customer's neighbour who was lending a hand to the Polymaster delivery contractor.

WorkSafe Victoria alleges that in both instances, Polymaster violated the OHS Act by failing to implement a mechanical unloading process for rainwater tanks from their trucks and trailers, putting workers and customers at risk.

Furthermore, the company is accused of not prohibiting non-employees from participating in the unloading process and, in the second incident, neglecting to furnish employees with the necessary information and training to ensure the safe unloading of rainwater tanks.

The case is being heard at Shepparton Magistrates' Court.