Coronial
TASother

Coroner's Finding: Kleijnendorst, Bastiaan

Deceased

Bastiaan Kleijnendorst

Demographics

77y, male

Date of death

2023-05-30

Finding date

2024-12-18

Cause of death

multiple chest injuries

AI-generated summary

A 77-year-old man died from multiple chest injuries sustained when a Mini Loader he was operating rolled over and crushed him. He had no prior experience with plant machinery and received minimal induction training. The critical failures were: operating the loader with the mast elevated (contrary to explicit instructions), not wearing the available seatbelt, and inadequate workplace safety oversight. The coroner found the death entirely avoidable, emphasizing that proper training, adherence to manufacturer specifications, and consistent use of safety equipment (seatbelt) could have prevented this fatal accident.

AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.

Contributing factors

  • lack of training and experience with plant machinery
  • no formal induction or job description
  • operation of Mini Loader with mast elevated contrary to instructions
  • failure to wear seatbelt despite availability and documentation
  • minimal supervision of employee using unfamiliar equipment
  • immediate use of new 4-in-1 bucket attachment without adequate familiarisation

Coroner's recommendations

  1. All plant and equipment must be operated in accordance with manufacturers specifications and recommendations
  2. When operating any plant and equipment fitted with a seatbelt, the seatbelt must be worn
Full text

Source and disclaimer

This page reproduces or summarises information from publicly available findings published by Australian coroners' courts. Coronial is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any coronial court or government body.

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