A Victorian plumber has been slapped with a hefty fine this week after he drove around with his teenage apprentice stuffed inside the ute’s toolbox.
In February 2022, the director and his 19-year-old apprentice had finished installing a hot water service at a property in Bridge Creek when it was decided the client would ride back with them to Mansfield.
But with only two seats in the dual cab ute, a ‘discussion’ arose that ended up with the apprentice being stuffed into the toolbox mounted on the rear tray for the journey.
During the 20-25-minute journey, the apprentice recorded a video on his phone, commenting on the discomfort and heat inside the cramped space.
And to cap it all off, upon arriving in Mansfield, the apprentice’s brother witnessed the teenager emerging from the toolbox “red-faced and hunched over” as the plumber and his client laughed over a couple of cold frothies.
The understandably shaken apprentice only reported the incidents several months later after he told his mum, who subsequently informed his Apprenticeships Victoria support officer and kicked off a WorkSafe investigation.
To make matters worse, safety officers concluded that some tools had been left in the toolbox with the apprentice, putting the teenager at risk of serious injury or death if it was involved in a collision or stopped suddenly.
Now, after over two years of lengthy court proceedings, the 31-year-old plumber pleaded guilty to a single charge of failing to ensure that a workplace under their management or control was safe and without risks to health.
He was fined $20,000 and ordered to pay costs of $4,249 but got off without a conviction.
WorkSafe Executive Director Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said there was no excuse for putting a young apprentice in such a vulnerable position.
“Illegally transporting this young apprentice in the back of a toolbox was extremely unsafe and could have had absolutely catastrophic consequences,” Mr Jenkin said.
“WorkSafe will continue to hold employers accountable when they fail to prioritise safety and wellbeing, particularly for young workers who won’t always have the confidence to speak up if something is wrong.”
Taking apprentice safety seriously
But this isn’t the first time we’ve seen young apprentices cop the brunt of worksite bullying.
In a more severe case in February 2023, 31-year-old Ballarat plumber Benjamin Foy was sentenced for trapping his apprentice in a “noose incident”, whereby Foy and another man held the apprentice in a noose made of tape so that his neck held his body weight for about two seconds.
He was also found guilty of dragging the boy around by his hair to show him work he had not done properly.
Late last year, another Melbourne boss was also put before the courts after he was caught on camera slapping, prodding and laughing at his apprentice while he was hung upside down at a work Christmas party.
With stories like these becoming an all-too-familiar headline amongst national news outlets, workplace health and safety specialist group Safety Australia said these incidents are having serious consequences on the construction workforce, both legally and ethically.
“Directors have a duty of care towards all employees and are legally obligated to ensure the safety of all workers under their supervision,” said the group.
“This includes taking reasonable steps to prevent harm to them, particularly for young or inexperienced workers who may be more vulnerable due to their lack of experience and knowledge.”
According to the organisation, young apprentices in particular are the ones at risk of being pushed into dangerous situations, jeopardising their safety in the hopes of fitting in with the work crowd.
“Young or inexperienced workers are often considered vulnerable for many reasons and can lack the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate workplace dynamics effectively, including speaking up about their concerns,” they said.
“They may feel pressure to prove themselves in a new job, which could lead them to take risks or push themselves beyond their limits to impress their employers.
“Quite often, they are not fully aware of their legal rights and protections in the workplace and often lack the experience to recognise and avoid workplace hazards.
“A lack of understanding of safety protocols or how to respond to dangerous situations, make them more susceptible to risks.”
