Arabic version: مالك شركة «إيه تي إس ماينينغ مينتيننس» يقر بالذنب في وفاة عامل

According to ABC News, Dalmain Enterprises Proprietary Limited, trading as ATS Mining Maintenance, has pleaded guilty over the December 2023 death of heavy diesel mechanic Ty Drummond at its South Boulder workshop in Western Australia’s Goldfields.

Mr Drummond, 25, died on December 11, 2023. WorkSafe said he had been instructed to remove the front axle from a Sandvik TH663 mining truck. It is alleged a deflated front-left tyre caused the truck to lean, and that the jack supporting the vehicle failed when Mr Drummond went underneath it, fatally injuring him.

WorkSafe WA charged Dalmain Enterprises in December last year with failing to provide and maintain a safe working environment and, by that failure, causing a worker’s death. The charge was amended to allege that a person conducting a business or undertaking failed to comply with a health and safety duty under section 19 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020, causing death or serious harm to a worker.

Defence lawyer Sarah Harvey entered the guilty plea for the company in the Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court. Prosecutor Ethan Heywood said the maximum penalty was a $3.5 million fine. He told the court that delays in the matter related to negotiations over broader alleged company failings, including a documented risk assessment for work beneath an elevated truck.

WorkSafe has also alleged the company did not provide adequate instruction or supervision, or use a suitable work lift crane with jack stands to support the truck. Magistrate Donna Webb described the sentencing as a “complex sentencing exercise” and adjourned the case until February 10 next year. Ms Harvey said the defence would file extensive mitigation material, while both sides agreed the sentencing hearing could take up to half a day.