John Dee fined over death
JOHN Dee Warwick has been fined $110, 000 over a tragic workplace accident that claimed the life of long-time contractor Andrew Duxfield.
The company last week pleaded guilty in the Warwick Industrial Court to breaching the Workplace Health and Safety Act.
Mr Duxfield was killed on January 25 last year, when the crane he was using to refurbish cattle races overturned.
Findings of an investigation into the incident determined the 50-year-old was moving 3.3 tonne concrete blocks at the time the crane toppled.
Prosecutions were brought against John Dee by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
Legislation required the company, as owner of the crane, to ensure the contractor was licensed to operate the machinery.
It was found Mr Duxfield was not licensed to operate the crane.
Investigations further determined John Dee did not register the crane and had failed to prepare construction safety plans and work method statements.
In determining the appropriate penalty, Industrial Magistrate Graham Lee took into account John Dee's co-operation with investigators, lack of breaches in the past and early plea of guilty.
Mr Lee also ordered the company to pay a total of $4240 in costs.
John Dee could not be reached for comment on the ruling yesterday.
