A number of years ago, we had the misfortune to have someone killed at work. Because it was a work related accident, there is effectively no defence - the Inspectors from the Department of Labour proved that Justice Mahon's quotation "Orchestrated Litany of Lies" is equally applicable today as it was during the Erebus investigation.
As a consequence, we were found guilty and fined - as above, guilt is automatic with only degree of culpability to be established. At no point could any fault be attributed to the he deceased (who was acting outside company procedures) nor the other party involved. The cost (emotional cost as much as financial) was enormous, and I seriously considered closing this part of the business down, which would have cost 10-15 people their jobs. In this morning's media there is an article about a young woman, unlicensed, speeding and probably intoxicated after having consumed 'an unknown quantity" of RTD drinks. rolling the ute she was driving. Two people who were in the back of the ute (add that to the list) were flung from the vehicle onto rocks, and one subsequently tragically died. Police inexplicably did not breath test the offender, so charges on that offence could not be laid., but having plead guilty to most other charges, she has been sentenced as below: Careless Driving : 140 hours Community service & 6 Months supervision Driving without a license : 9 months disqualification, $200 fine, $130 costs Fined : $2000 for "Emotional Harm" Reparation for the Ute : $1000 of the $12,000 claimed by the owner We can take heart that the offender has expressed remorse. Comments are closed.
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Don MalcolmA perfect day involves being on my Harley with a long ride ahead.
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