The Real Juice Company in Griffith and its sole director, Anthony Taliano, have been fined a combined $249,600 after a worker was struck by a reversing forklift.

The company and Taliano were convicted in the NSW Industrial Court, fined $240,000 and $9,600 respectively, following a prosecution by SafeWork NSW. The proceedings related to an incident in November 2022 in which a worker was injured after being struck by a forklift at the company’s Griffith site.

The Real Juice Company pleaded guilty to failing to comply with its duty to workers under section 19(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW). Taliano, who was responsible for the business’s day-to-day management, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with his duty as an officer of the business under section 27(1) of the Act.

The Court also issued an adverse publicity order requiring the company to publish a public notice detailing the incident and conviction.

SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer said being struck by moving plant or vehicles remains a preventable and persistent hazard.

“Risk control measures for working with moving plant and fixed machinery are well known,” Ms Schorer said. “Having an awareness and assessment of the risks, along with implementation of safe systems of work, is key to reducing the number of incidents related to moving plant.”

Both parties retain the right to appeal against their sentences. Source: SafeWork NSW media release, www.safework.nsw.gov.au