A Sydney-based agricultural company has been charged as the result of the death of one of its employees in the Barkly Tableland region in 2016.

Australian Green Properties Pty Ltd which owns Epenarra station south east of Tennant Creek, has been charged NT WorkSafe with one breach of Section 32 the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act, for failing to comply with a health and safety duty.

On 24 August 2016, Daniel Jarmin, a 26-year-old British national was killed in a single vehicle rollover. The incident occurred on the Kurundi / Epenarra road, about 15km east of the Stuart Highway. Mr Jarmin was employed as the store manager at Epenarra Station and was on a return trip having collected fresh produce from Wauchope Hotel. The vehicle he was driving had NT pastoral registration and was alleged to be in poor mechanical condition.

NT WorkSafe will allege that Australian Green Properties Pty Ltd did not comply with their health and safety duty by:

• Failing to ensure the vehicle provided to Mr Jarmin was mechanically sound and legally permitted to make the journey to Wauchope Hotel;
• Failing to ensure the proper maintenance and safety of the vehicle involved in the incident; and
• Failing to provide the appropriate information and training to Mr Jarmin on how to safely drive a four wheel drive vehicle in outback conditions.

If found guilty, Australian Green Properties Pty Ltd will face a maximum penalty of $1.5 million.

The matter is listed for mention in the Darwin Local Court on Tuesday 10 April 2018.

Source: NT Government – WorkSafe