The Case

WorkSafe Victoria v Country Cart Pty Ltd (2022)

Country Cart Pty Ltd conducted business in waste collection and disposal. Many of its employees operated garbage trucks with garbage compactors.

On 9 April 2019, one of Country Cart’s truck drivers was collecting rubbish on a property with a sloping driveway and steel gate. The truck was defective, including that the park brake did not operate effectively, making it unworthy for use.

After stopping the truck on the sloping driveway, the driver exited the vehicle and the truck rolled, pinning the driver against the gate. The driver died at the scene.