Two engineering firms have been fined a combined $450,000 over the death of a worker who plunged 40 metres when a large rig he was harnessed to collapsed at a Southbank building site.
The companies, Frankipile and Vibropile, were found guilty of negligence charges in the County Court over the death of Sonny Swaanebeck, 30, in May 2011.
Investigations by the Victorian WorkCover Authority found that 10 crucial bolts were never installed in the most vulnerable section of the pile-driving rig, used in the construction of high-rise buildings, before the mast snapped and Mr Swaanebeck fell to his death.
This week, Judge Peter Wischusen fined Frankipile $350,000 and Vibropile $100,000. Both companies were convicted.
The firms were last month found guilty by a jury of charges of failing to provide safe systems of work and failing to provide adequate information, instruction, training or supervision.
A previous court hearing was told Mr Swaanebeck's employer, Frankipile, had engaged the affiliated Vibropile to provide an operator for the Southbank construction job.
Despite having no experience in rigging a particular section of the pile-driver, operator Wayne TeAre directed a crew of Frankipile workers how to install the bolts in the join of the mast.
The court was told Mr TeAre did not install six rear bolts because he did not believe they were needed and had not been trained to do so. He forgot to put in four side bolts, the court heard.
Lawyers for both companies attributed the blame for the bolts being left out on the manufacturer's manual, which did not mention the side bolts in the installation procedure.
