The North Queensland employer’s penalty comes three years after the Belgian pumpkin picker died
A North Queensland pumpkin farmer has been fined after admitting failing to comply with health and safety obligations.
Bradford Clark Rosen recently admitted guilt at Townsville Magistrates Court and the fine has now been set at $65,000.
The penalty follows the death of Oliver Max Caramin, a worker at Pumpkin Pickers in the Burdekin region three years ago. The 27-year old Belgian worker was working in 30 degree heat when he collapsed and was rushed to hospital. Tragically, he died the next morning.
Mr Caramin had been working at the farm for just four days when the tragedy occured.
Magistrates were told that workers had been given training on how to pick produce but not provided with enough information about heat risks and other elements of the work system.
Complacency
The court heard that Workplace Health and Safety Queensland’s investigation found that there was not adequate shelter for workers exposed to the hot conditions and said that Rosten had become complacent about providing information to workers.
The significant fine was not accompanied by a conviction, acknowledging the remorse shown by the farmer and the action that had been taken since Mr Caramin’s death to ensure compliance with health and safety rules.
