CCTV footage released during an investigation has revealed a harrowing incident at the Royal Australian Mint (RAM) in Canberra, where a worker narrowly escaped being crushed by a three-tonne coin press.
Near-fatal accident captured on CCTV
The footage shows the worker assisting in moving the massive press in the basement of the RAM using a forklift. Suddenly, the press begins to tip off the forklift and falls toward the worker. The worker attempts to hold it up but quickly slides out from underneath just moments before it crashes to the floor.
Investigation and charges
The incident occurred in May 2019 and was investigated by Comcare, the national work health and safety regulator and workers' compensation authority. Comcare alleged that the RAM “failed to provide a safe system of work and a safe work environment.” Subsequently, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions filed three charges under the federal Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act, accusing the RAM of failing in its duties.
Enforceable undertaking to avoid court
Years after the incident, prosecutors and the RAM reached an agreement on a $1.1 million enforceable undertaking to avoid ongoing court proceedings. Justin Napier, Comcare Regulatory Operations head, stated that the undertaking includes legally binding commitments. “The RAM has provided assurances to Comcare that it has rectified the training of staff for high-risk activities, created a new contractor-specific induction, and revised the risk management system across the organisation,” he said. “The deliverables proposed in the WHS undertaking will result in further measurable improvements to Workplace Health and Safety outcomes for the workplace, industry and community.”
Two-year safety improvement plan
The two-year plan includes installing an interactive display at the RAM promoting the importance of work health and safety, developing and delivering a safety culture program, and partnering with the Australian Institute of Health and Safety to administer a workplace safety improvement program designed to reduce incidents involving pedestrians and forklifts. The RAM will also fund and develop guidance and training for mobile plant and contractor management that must be made available industry-wide.
Cost breakdown of the undertaking
Comcare estimates that the undertakings will cost the RAM approximately $985,000, while program management and reporting will cost about $80,000. An additional $40,000 will be spent on the work health and safety management system, and a final $5,000 will be used for advertising space in a national newspaper to publish a public notice regarding the enforceable undertaking.
