28.08.2008

Alcan faces $1 million fine for fatal accident

Alcan Australia faces a $1 million fine for failing to maintain its aerial lifts following the death of a man at its facility in Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, who was not wearing his harness. The lift, a JLG 800AJ was overdue for inspection and faults on the machine would most likely have been picked up during the inspection.
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Alcan has pleaded guilty and admitted that it broke the law by failing to maintain the machine properly or make sure that its employees were properly trained. It had started a safety check on the lift the day before the accident, but claims that it had to be called off because of windy conditions.

The court was also told that the man who died when he was catapulted out of the basket, Daniel Burman,33, was not wearing his safety harness properly and that if he had been, it's unlikely he would have died when he was flung from the platform.

Burman’s work mate did have his harness on and attached with a short lanyard and survived without serious injury. Alcan has three prior convictions for similar breaches.

It faces fines of up to A$1.1 million, although its lawyer has called for a more modest fine, suggesting that it would be inappropriate for the magistrate to fine the company so much just because it's wealthy.

The company also says that the safety culture at the mine has changed since Rio Tinto took over, with better safety signs and procedures. Alcan also helped pay for some of the costs associated with Burman's funeral.