Employer charged after fatal road worker crash

A 44-year-old worker died and a 39-year-old was seriously injured in the incident.

Altus Traffic Pty Ltd faces two charges under section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing to, as far as reasonably practicable, provide and maintain a safe workplace.

WorkSafe alleges the company breached section 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act by failing to provide and maintain a system of work for setting up lane closures on public roads by not requiring the use of a vehicle, truck or trailer mounted attenuator.

The company faces a second charge under section 21(2)(e) of the OHS Act for failing to provide information and instruction to workers on where to position their work vehicle and how to safely access the traffic cones carried by the vehicle and place them in a traffic lane.

The matter is listed for a filing hearing at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 30 November.