Poor engineering design which led to the collapse of an 80 tonne crane in 2013 has seen Etschmann Engineering slapped with a $16,000 fine and $5000 court costs.
The company pled guilty to breaching the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations (1995) by designing a crane that did not meet the Australian Standard in safety.
Western Australian State Mining Engineer with the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), Andrew Chaplyn said this was the first time the DMP had prosecuted someone for poor or unsafe design.
“Safety in Design is one of the major areas of concern identified by the department,” Mr Chaplyn said.
“We hope this sends a strong message to designers working across the mining industry, but in particular in Western Australia, that negligent or inferior services will be not be accepted.
“I take this opportunity to remind all those involved in servicing the industry of their duties under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act and regulations.”
“Engineering sits above the two lowest levels of control, Administrative and Personal Protective Equipment, these two being relied on far too much in WA mining,”
“We really want to see sites climbing the hierarchy leading to safer work places and we will work with them to achieve this.”
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