A guided inspection of Crawfords Freightlines’ yard has failed to dampen the TWU’s safety concerns
Crawfords Freightlines has conducted an on-site inspection of its Sandgate head office with representatives from the Transport Workers Union (TWU).
The walk-through comes after the TWU this week called for a WorkCover NSW investigation at the workplace. It noted two unrelated deaths had occurred there in the last few months, and allegations from members that the yard lacked safety protocols.
Crawfords managing director Peter Crawford says the tour allowed the company to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to strict safety procedures in its loading and unloading areas.
“We were able to clearly demonstrate how Crawfords Freightlines work within the regulatory framework, adhering to long-held safety protocols and procedures, for all of our employees as well as visiting contractors,” he says.
The company is currently in the process of improving road markings and signage on site, he adds. This is in accordance with a WorkCover NSW directive that followed the most recent tragedy at the site.
A forklift driver was killed in a physical altercation onsite, after his forklift collided with a truck.
An earlier fatality involved a contract tyre centre employee, who died whilst carrying out repairs to a forklift. Crawford says this had been a failure of procedures and the man’s employer – not Crawfords Freightlines – had been issued with an improvement notice from WorkCover as a result.
No improvement notices were issued against Crawfords Freightlines after that incident.
But the TWU has indicated it still lacks confidence in the company’s safety measures and procedures. A spokesman says the union had seen a lot of work and new equipment, but he remained concerned the tour was “just for show”.
The union is maintaining its call for a WorkCover NSW investigation.