Company charged after traffic controller killed on freeway

The 58-year-old man was on patrol inspecting streetlights for faults when his stationary ute was struck by another vehicle.

Blackwood & Co Pty Ltd, trading as MakeSafe Traffic Management, faces one charge under section 21(2)(a) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of failing to provide or maintain a safe system of work, and one charge under section 26(1) of the OHS Act of failing to ensure a workplace under its management or control was safe and without risks to health.

WorkSafe alleges the company failed to reduce the risk of serious injury or death by implementing a system that required two workers to inspect streetlights together, eliminating the need for employees to leave their vehicles.

The matter is listed for a filing hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 10 September 2025.