A refrigerated transport company faces major fines in the ACT. 

Capitol Chilled Foods (Australia) Pty Limited has been convicted of Category 2 charges with a $300,000 fine by the ACT Industrial Court Magistrate.

In 2022, the company pleaded guilty to charges laid against it for the serious injury of Mr Matthew Thompson. 

In March 2021, Mr Thompson was working as a delivery driver and was unloading from the rear of his van in Griffith when he was struck by a forklift and pinned to the back step of the van.

WorkSafe ACT offered its ongoing support to Mr Thompson and his family through this difficult time.

“It’s traumatic for everyone involved to have to relive the details of incidents like this in court. However, this is a vital step in ensuring duty holders are held to account. What happened to Mr Thompson shouldn’t happen to any worker, any family, any community. Every worker has the right to a safe workplace and the right to return home safely at the end of their shift.”

Commissioner Jacqueline Agius says the sentencing reflects the seriousness of the incident and the importance of work health and safety at every workplace.

“Today’s sentencing gives a clear message to all duty holders, they must comply with their work health and safety obligations and if they don’t, they will be held to account,” she said. 

“I am so pleased to see our Court system appropriately penalising these breaches.

“Our Inspectors are focused on ensuring safety for all workers, in all workplaces. Serious injuries and incidents are preventable which is why work health and safety practices must be a priority in every workplace, at every time and for every worker.”