Workplace Health and Safety: Critical Review of Kenoss Contractors Case Study

Running head: CRITICAL REVIEW
Critical Review
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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CRITICAL REVIEW
Abstract
Safety and Risk Management are critical aspects of workplace. The following report aims to
analyse the workplace health and safety in relation to the case study of Canberra where a
Kenoss Contractors employee (truck driver) was killed out of accident due to electrical
hazards at the construction site. The analysis of the workplace safety highlighted that main
issues which must be taken into consideration in order to avoid the workplace hazard include
proper installation of danger alerts and makeshift gates at the danger areas to prevent the
entry, turning of the electrical lines from open wire and use of proper contractor management.
The analysis of the report also highlighted the importance of requitement of trained
workplace safety office for proper documentation of the safety framework.

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CRITICAL REVIEW
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Discussion..................................................................................................................................3
Overview of the event............................................................................................................3
What could have been done...................................................................................................4
Self-reflection.........................................................................................................................7
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................8
References..................................................................................................................................9

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CRITICAL REVIEW
Introduction
Safety and Risk Management are critical aspects of a workplace and breaches in the
workplace safety are punishable offense under Work Health and Safety Law. The report aims
to analyse and subsequently conceptualise the responses to safety breaches in relation to the
provided scenario: $1.1 million fine imposed to Canberra Construction Company Kenoss
Contractors for the death of the truck driver. The report will initiate with a brief description
about the event and then will provide a detailed description about how this safety breach
could have been avoided. At the end the report will provide a self reflection regarding action
plans or goals in order to order to manage the scenario effectively.
Discussion
Overview of the event
According to the news published in ABC News (2015), a Canberra construction
company is fined $1.1 for breaching workplace safety which has cost death of a staff (truck
driver). Michael Booth, the victim was electrocuted while he was attempting to deliver a load
of raw materials in his truck to Kenoss Contractors on March 2012. The driver to the truck
(Mr Booth) was mainly carrying a load of gravel-type material to a fenced off compound that
is used to store piles of material and stocking it near the road resurfacing project which is
being run by Kenoss Contractors. The tip of the truck got connected with or came close of the
open-ended power lines and thereby generating electrical arc strong enough to deflate the
truck tyres and leaving charred marks on the floors. Though Mr Booth jumped from the truck
but he collapsed and later died. The court found that the company violated basic workplace
safety ethics however, did not fine maximum allowable penalty that was $1.5 million.