Finding into death of Richard Neil Gaudion
Deceased
Richard Neil Gaudion
Demographics
60y, male
Date of death
2018-08-10
Finding date
2020-05-05
Cause of death
Injuries sustained in a motor vehicle incident (driver)
AI-generated summary
Richard Gaudion, a 60-year-old Wild Dog Controller, died when his 4WD vehicle rolled down a steep embankment in remote bushland. WorkSafe identified seven contributing factors: outdated 4WD training (last completed in 2000), unfamiliarity with the location and lack of risk assessment, non-use of seatbelt despite policy requirements, wet slippery conditions, excessive gradient (32° vs recommended 25°), and improper braking technique when reversing downhill. The coroner emphasised that DELWP's job safety planning procedures were inadequately implemented in the Wild Dog Program. Key lessons include mandatory refresher training at regular intervals, consistent application of safety planning documentation, and ensuring effective monitoring systems for lone workers in remote areas with poor communication coverage.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Contributing factors
- 4WD training not current (last completed in 2000, not within 5-year recommendation)
- Unfamiliar with accident location
- No documented risk assessment prior to task
- Not wearing seatbelt despite DELWP policy
- Wet and slippery track conditions due to heavy rainfall
- Track gradient of 32 degrees exceeded DELWP training recommendation of 25 degrees in dry conditions
- Improper braking technique when reversing downhill (using clutch and brakes rather than recommended method)
- Call-in procedure not followed and ineffective due to poor mobile and satellite coverage
- Job Safety Planning procedures not widely used in Wild Dog Program
Coroner's recommendations
- DELWP mandate 4WD training every five years for staff who use 4WD vehicles, identifying staff who have not received training within the past five years and ensuring training within 12 months
- All DELWP field staff utilise Job Safety Planning (JSP) including Site Safety Surveys
- Develop effective and workable call-in and location procedures for employees working in isolation
- Investigate alternative technologies and call-in mechanisms to enhance staff safety in areas without satellite coverage
- Update Wild Dog Controller Work Reviews and review Wild Dog Program to ensure compliance with governing documentation
- Implement monitoring systems such as third-party 24-hour operators requiring staff to call-in at arranged intervals
- Require teams undertaking remote tasks to establish a Communications Plan as part of overall JSP
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