A demolition company in South Australia has been convicted and fined more than $140,000 after its excavator knocked down a 415-voltage overhead powerline, exposing the operator to risk of death or serious injury.

Royal Park Salvage was engaged to demolish a residential property. The work involved removing a number of trees located underneath a 415V powerline.

The excavator operator, who had more than 25 years’ experience with the company, began removing the shrubs near the powerlines, even though the spotter had not arrived at the site.

The operator was unaware of the fact that he had severed the powerline until he was alerted by a nearby resident a few minutes later after power to the property was lost. Following an investigation, Royal Park Salvage was charged over its failure to adequately identify the hazards created by the work and put in place measures to eliminate or reduce the risk.

The Court found the company’s “existing safety management system was grossly inadequate”. The Court noted that although no one was injured, the offence is the failure to remove the risk of injury through reasonably practicable controls.  

The Court recorded a conviction against Royal Park Salvage Pty Ltd, fined it $140,000, and ordered it pay a Victims of Crime Levy of $424 and a contribution of $1,210 towards SafeWork SA’s legal costs.