Three companies charged after fatal EWP crush

The 25-year-old man was seriously injured and later died in hospital after he was crushed between roof rafters and the basket of the boom lift he was operating.

Ridge Commercial Pty Ltd faces three charges under section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace.

WorkSafe alleges the plumbing operator twice breached section 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act by failing to provide or maintain safe plant and safe systems of work, and breached section 21(2)(b) of the OHS Act by failing to have a trained and licensed safety observer present at all times during boom lift operation.

Maben Group Pty Ltd also faces three charges under section 21(1) of the OHS Act of failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace.

WorkSafe alleges the construction company twice breached section 21(2)(e) of the OHS Act by failing to provide necessary supervision to employees during boom lift operation, and breached section 21(2)(b) of the OHS Act by failing to arrange the appropriate induction for workers when the boom lift arrived at the site.

Licojo Pty Ltd faces two charges under section 23(1) of the OHS Act of failing to ensure persons other than employees were not exposed to health and safety risks.

WorkSafe alleges the hire equipment provider failed to ensure the boom lift’s operator protection alarm was functioning, and failed to ensure a worker who had serviced the boom lift prior to the incident was licensed and adequately trained.

The matters are listed for a filing hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 1 July 2025.