Written by SBS News 
4th May 2018 

A NT Government department and a construction company are facing fines of up to $1.5 million after being charged over the death of a Darwin musician.

Peter Bonnell, also known as Pedro Swift, was killed on April 20, 2016, when his motorbike crashed into a traffic diversion on Tiger Brennan Drive, throwing him into a trailer.

The diversion had been set up by Queensland-based BMD Constructions, who had been contracted by the NT Department of Infrastructure to manage the road works.

Charges were laid by NT Worksafe, which will allege the traffic diversion set-up was not in accordance with an approved traffic control diagram, and the set up was not compliant with Australian Standards.

Both parties were charged with failing to comply with their health and safety duties.

NT Worksafe will allege the department failed ensure the work environment was safe, that it failed to provide a safe work system and did not ensure staff were adequately trained.

It will allege BMD Constructions used interlocking crash barriers without reflective bollards that were not compliant with Australian Standards, and failed in other safety areas.

If found guilty, the department and the company could each face a maximum penalty of $1.5 million.

The matter is listed for mention in the Darwin Local Court on June 6.

To access the original article, please visit: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-04/nt-government-department-charged-over-musician-death/9727806

© 2018 ABC

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