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Procon found guilty in worker death

Procon Mining and Tunnelling has been fined more than $100,000 following the death of Paul Wentzell in October 2009.

Procon Mining and Tunnelling has been fined more than $100,000 following the death of Paul Wentzell in October 2009.

The employee was killed when the emergency brakes on a Toyota Land Cruiser he’d been operating failed.

The vehicle, which had been parked on an incline, rolled back and struck Wentzell.

He was working at Wolverine Mine, about 180 kilometres southeast of Ross River.

Procon was found guilty of two occupational health and safety charges.

The mining company failed to ensure its worker demonstrated competence in operating equipment, according to Judge John Faulkner’s ruling.

For that, Procon was fined $45,000 plus a $6,750 surcharge.

It also failed to ensure its mobile equipment was maintained in safe operating condition.

For this, it was fined another $40,000, with a $6,000 surcharge.

The fines are due by January 20, 2012.