SafeWork lays charges against major cotton growing operation over farm worker's death
The farm worker died after being pinned under a backhoe (pictured) at the incident scene. (Supplied: SafeWork NSW)
One of Australia's largest cotton-farming operations is facing prosecution over the death of a farm worker, and is under investigation for the death of a second worker in an unrelated incident.
SafeWork NSW has commenced prosecution following the December 2022 death of a 28-year-old man, who was fatally injured when the backhoe he was operating slid more than 2 metres into a culvert and landed on its side.
According to SafeWork, the worker was ejected from the machine and pinned under the cabin.
The accident happened on a remote property near Carinda, more than three-hours drive north-west of Dubbo, in western New South Wales.
The ABC understands the worker was an Estonian national.
Police attended the scene.
Nineteen charges have been laid against Peter, Jane and Jack Harris and their associated farming partnership companies for "allegedly failing to comply with work health and safety duties".
The matter is before the NSW Industrial Court and the prosecutor is required to serve the final brief of evidence in May, before the next court mention in June.
P&J Harris and Sons farming partnership did not enter a plea.
SafeWork NSW is separately investigating the death of another seasonal farm worker who died on a property at Carinda, also owned by the Harris family.
The worker from Vanuatu drowned in a storage dam on the property on New Years Day, 2024.