The supermarket giant Woolworths and a Victorian-based transport company have been charged over the death of a 47-year-old itinerant man, who was run over after falling asleep in a loading dock in Darwin.
The driver of a prime mover fatally struck the Maningrida man, who he did not see, while exiting a loading dock at the Hibiscus Shopping Centre in Leanyer on October 7, 2016.
The driver was a subcontractor to Glen Cameron Nominees Pty Ltd, a Victorian-based transport and warehouse company.
Both companies are now facing charges of failing to comply with a health and safety duty, NT WorkSafe announced.
"NT WorkSafe will allege Woolworths Ltd failed to implement a traffic management plan, despite knowing the loading dock was frequently used as a short cut by pedestrians and a resting place by itinerants," it said in a statement.
The workplace watchdog will further allege Woolworths failed to provide a site induction to the driver of the prime mover, and failed to ensure Glen Cameron Nominees Pty Ltd had proper procedures in place to provide "necessary training, instruction or supervision to the driver compliance with its health and safety duties".
Glen Cameron Nominees Pty Ltd are also accused of failing to have and maintain an induction program for the driver or refresher training on an annual basis; failing to arrange a site induction for the driver at Hibiscus Shopping Centre; and failing to ensure the driver was aware of and complied with the company's standing operating procedures, requiring drivers to physically check both the rear and front of a vehicle for pedestrians before moving.
Both companies face a maximum penalty of $1.5 million if found guilty.
In a statement, Woolworths said it was in the process of reviewing the matter, and as it is now before the courts, "it would be inappropriate for us to make any further comment in relation to the tragic circumstances of this matter".
Glen Cameron Nominees Pty Ltd have been contacted for comment.
