Hofmann Engineering Bassendean workplace accident: Worker has died after being crushed by machinery

A father who was fatally crushed at a Bassendean factory — the second person to die at the site in six years — had recently embarked on a new career to spend more time with his family before tragedy struck. The revelation came as Roger Cook said he maintained confidence in Hofmann Engineering — which last month unveiled by the State and Federal governments to be the first Australian company chosen to provide parts for US naval aircraft — despite the two recent workplace deaths. On Monday, the 45-year-old father and husband died at the Bassendean factory about 3.30pm on Monday after he was crushed by a steel object that fell on him. Australian Manufacturing Workers Union Steve McCartney said the employee had a 10-year-old daughter and had given up his career as a chef to do this work as an apprentice mechanical fitter so he could spend more time with his family. “He came here from Korea 10 years ago, he has been a permanent resident for two years, and he wanted to give his family the best outcome he could possibly,” he said. “I do know that the family is of course traumatised by this.” It followed the death of another worker at the same site in 2019 when he was also crushed. A police spokesperson said first responders desperately tried to save the man who died in the latest incident. In a statement released on Tuesday, Hofmann Engineering expressed great “sadness”. “Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of our team member during this difficult time,” it said. “The safety and wellbeing of our employees is our highest priority, and this incident is being treated with the utmost seriousness. “Hofmann Engineering is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities, including WorkSafe WA, to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. Immediate support and counselling services are being made available to employees affected.” Mr McCartney alleged the unions investigation into what lead to the man’s death revealed the tragedy was “preventable”. “This guy is a first year apprentice, it doesn’t matter if you’re 15 or 50 right,” he said. “He should’ve had someone observing him and working with him because he’s a first year apprentice. “He was wrapping a six metre forging ring . . . it was on a sloping floor. “It’s a big heavy piece of kit about 3t . . . it swept off the trestles and crushed him. “It shouldn’t have happened . . . it’s clear this tragedy was preventable. “It was an accident waiting to happen and sadly it did.” Mr McCartney also claimed Hofmann Engineering forced workers to stay on the clock after watching their colleague get killed on site by threatening to dock their pay. “The other sad thing about all this is his workers that were traumatised and were in that space when the accident happened, were told if they leave work they would be docked their pay,” he said. “They should’ve been told to go home and be paid for their time. Your head is not gonna be in the same place. “It says a lot about the company.” Hofmann engineering on Wednesday said they had been in contact with the man’s family, and would provide them with support. A spokesman for the company said “all employees, including apprentices, are appropriately supervised.” “All employees were advised that they could take time off without loss of pay to support the grieving process. We fully respect the impact such a tragedy has on our people, and our focus is on their wellbeing,” they said. “We have expressed our deepest sympathies to the family, and will continue to support colleagues. This is a devastating loss for our organisation, and our thoughts remain with all who are grieving.” A WorkSafe said an investigation was underway. “WorkSafe will continue to conduct a thorough investigation to identify what caused this incident and whether any potential offences have been committed,” Acting WorkSafe Commissioner Jennifer Low said. “As always, once the investigation has concluded we will share any learnings with the industry as part of our commitment to supporting safe and healthy work practices in all workplaces.” In November, Hofmann Engineering pleaded guilty to failing to maintain a safe workplace over the 2019 incident and was fined $567,000. The worker was crushed underneath a 1350kg boom. A court found there was no maintenance or manufacture logbook for the device, with WorkSafe finding a lack of instructions and maintenance contributed to the fatality. Premier Roger Cook on Tuesday said any workplace death is “horrible” and sent his “deepest, deepest condolences”. “When someone goes to work, their families and they have a right to expect that they will go home that night free of injury and definitely without loss of life,” he said. “WorkSafe is investigating this particular incident. It’s not the first time there has been an incident at this site, so that’s concerning, but WorkSafe will investigate and I’ll allow that investigation to take place.” The worker’s death comes after Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and WA Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia last month toured Hofmann Engineering, where they named it the first business in Australia to be given the green light to manufacture parts for US nuclear powered submarines. Mr Cook said he still had confidence in the company despite it’s safety record. “Look, they have an exceptional record in terms of the work they are doing to integrate themselves into high value, advanced manufacturing supply chains and particularly of late, in the naval ship building opportunities right around the globe,” he said. “So we much admire the work they are doing in that space. But every employer has responsibility to keep their team safe.”