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Thursday 06 November 2008

Training provider fined for worker death

A CAIRNS-based training provider was fined $13,000 after a construction worker he was assessing died in September 2006.
Lance James Pyne pleaded not guilty to breaching the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, as brought against him by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
The training provider was hired to assess the construction workers for a level two chainsaw certificate. 
During the practical component, when one of the workers was performing a “back cut”, the trunk of the tree splintered, causing the tree to strike and pin him against another tree.
He died of his injuries that day.
Subsequent investigation found the trainer had failed to adequately assess the risks posed by the lean of the tree and its potential to splinter.
According to the safety authority, it is important for proper risk assessment and safety measures to be taken during training in the industry.

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