Fine follows water death

MELBOURNE Water has been fined $400,000 over the death of worker at Bangholme’s Eastern Treatment Plant in December 2011
The County Court last Friday heard technician and father of three Tim Bakerov, 53, drowned in a sewerage channel after falling in because a metal grate was missing or gave way.
Melbourne Water pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to provide or maintain a safe working environment.
Chairman Paul Clark said the death shocked and saddened the entire workforce and leadership team and the organisation had done all it could to prevent any similar tragedy.
“We have gone further than comply with WorkSafe’s improvement notice, immediately initiating a program of improvements at all of our operational sites,” he said.
“We have also shared our learnings with the water industry right across Australia.”