Contractor fined $157,500 after farmer crushed to death by olive harvester

Key points

• An olive harvesting contractor has been fined $157,500 after a farmer was crushed to death by a mechanical harvester near Cowra. The NSW Industrial Court heard that Andrew John Bucknell was adjusting the machine on a property at Bumbaldry in May 2023 when a worker, seated in the cab, accidentally activated its clamping jaws.
• Christopher Duncan was caught between the jaws and died. Mr Bucknell pleaded guilty to a workplace safety offence.
• Judge David Chin said the appropriate fine was $210,000, reduced by 25 per cent for the guilty plea.