Watchdog to allege shortcomings in using inexperienced truck driver
Alice Springs fuel distribution company Indervon Pty Ltd is facing NT WorkSafe charges related to the crash death of one of its truck drivers two years ago.
NT WorkSafe says Mustapha Dahmani, 51, a recent arrival to Alice Springs, was into his fourth week of employment with Indervon when he died on July 16, 2017.
At the time of the incident, Dahmani was on a bulk fuel delivery run unsupervised in a Kenworth T409 truck, “despite concerns raised on Mr Dahmani’s familiarity in safely operating a vehicle fitted with an 18-speed manual gearbox”.
“An investigation found Dahmani failed to negotiate a curve in an unsealed portion of the Maryvale Road, about 74 km south of Alice Springs, causing the truck to tip and rollover,” NT WorkSafe states.
“Dahmani was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the incident.”
Read about an earlier NT trucking-related prosecution, here
Indervon is charged with two breaches of Section 32 of the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 for failing to comply with a health and safety duty.
NT WorkSafe will allege Indervon failed to provide:
- adequate training, instruction and supervision of Dahmani, to safely operate a vehicle fitted with an 18-speed manual gearbox on isolated and unsealed roads, unsupervised.
- a safe system of work by not acting on concerns and recommendations raised by Dahmani’s mentors during the induction period, relating to his competence to safely operate the company’s vehicles.
These recommendations included restricting Dahmani to yard work or short deliveries on the sealed roads within Alice Springs; not allowing Dahmani to undertake long distance deliveries on unsealed roads, unsupervised.
“If found guilty, Indervon will face a maximum penalty of $1,500,000 for each charge,” NT WorkSafe states.
The matter is listed for mention in the Alice Springs Local Court on August 14.