Technology company fined $50,000 over injuries to three people
Date issued: 2009-09-29
Siemens Ltd was fined $50,000 after three people were injured at the Gold Coast Hospital in September 2007.
The technology-based solutions provider, which operates Australia wide, pleaded guilty in the Southport Industrial Magistrates Court on 21 April 2009 to breaching section 24 of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, having failed to ensure workplace safety.
The court heard that two hospital staff and a Siemens worker received fractures and soft tissue injuries to their legs when a 700kg x-ray unit being delivered to the hospital fell over.
The Workplace Health and Safety Queensland investigation revealed that the company’s representative was involved in the transport and delivery process despite there being systems in place giving responsibility for the task to the transport company.
A joint effort was undertaken to move the equipment without appropriate risk assessments being undertaken, which placed workers, hospital staff and a patient at risk of being struck by falling equipment.
The court, in addition to the fine, ordered the company to pay investigation, professional and court costs totalling $2,793.40. No conviction was recorded.
The prosecution was brought by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, a part of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.
Media contact: +61 7 3405 3762