16/01/2008

News Item

Guilty plea over fatal breach

Hyrock Pty Ltd Charbon Limeworks has pleaded guilty in the Industrial Court of NSW in relation to the death of Kandos’ Arron Keith on July 21, 2005.

The company has pleaded guilty to a breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 for failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees.

The matter is now listed before the Industrial Court of NSW on Friday, February 22 for sentencing.

Mr Keith’s foster mother, Anne Kenworthy, is expected to attend the sentencing hearing in Sydney where her daughter will read a victim impact statement on behalf of the family.

The dates for a coronial inquest into Mr Keith’s death have also been set. It is scheduled for March 3 and 4 in Mudgee and March 5, 6 and 7 in Gulgong.

Mrs Kenworthy told the Weekly that it had been 2.5 years since Arron’s death and the matter is finally coming to a conclusion.

”It’s a type of closure coming to the end of all of this.

”I just want people to know it wasn’t Arron (who was at fault) it was them (Hyrock).“

Mrs Kenworthy said she would like the directors of the company to be held personally responsible for Arron’s death but believes the outcome of the February 22 sentencing hearing will be a fine to the company.

”They’ve got to live with it (Arron’s death) too.

”And maybe it will be one step towards a bit more safety out there.“

Mr Keith was killed when a forklift he had been operating crushed him against machinery.

Hyrock Pty Ltd Charbon Limeworks director Bill Hines was telephoned for comment but declined with the matter still before the courts.

source: http://mudgee.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/guilty-plea-over-fatal-breach/1163094.html