Company & Directors Charged for Electrical Accident

Cairns, Australia – The mother of a 22-year-old who was electrocuted while fitting roof insulation is hopeful news of charges being laid against his employer will help provide the family with closure.

Wendy Sweeney’s son Mitchell was tragically killed on February 4 last year while installing foil insulation in the ceiling of a Millaa Millaa home, 150km southwest of Cairns.

A Burleigh-based company has been charged with allegedly failing to conduct its business or undertaking in a way that was electrically safe.

Charges have also been laid against two company directors.

Mrs Sweeney said it had been a “long 11 months” waiting for the outcome of the investigation.

“When I last spoke to Workplace Health and Safety they said there were still things coming up that they had to work through. I thought to myself, ‘They’re going to get away with it’,” she said.

“But when they rang this week to let us know that charges had been laid, I was very relieved.”

Mrs Sweeney said she and her family just wanted someone to stand up and be accountable for her son’s death.

“If they’re found guilty, it won’t bring Mitchell back but you need something to help you get closure.

“I found it a struggle to get through the weeks leading up
to Christmas but hopefully starting 2011 with this news means things will get better as the year goes on.”

The charges will be heard at the Atherton Industrial Magistrates Court on February 8.

Story via Cairns.com.au