Nylastex Tooling Pty Ltd, an Adelaide-based manufacturing company, along with its two directors, has been charged with South Australia's first case of industrial manslaughter. The charges come two years after the death of 28-year-old worker Lachlan Carslake, who died on July 24, 2024, after allegedly being struck in the head by a metal object ejected from a milling machine at Nylastex's Edwardstown plant.

Court documents allege that the milling machines used by the company were fitted with interlock guarding switches designed to prevent operation at hazardous speeds when guards were open. However, the switch on the machine Mr. Carslake was operating was allegedly in a disabled state at the time of the incident.

SafeWork SA reported that two days before the fatal accident, an external technician engaged by Nylastex Tooling Pty Ltd had warned the company of safety concerns regarding the guarding switch. The workplace safety watchdog stated that the companies and their directors allegedly breached their health and safety duties by engaging in conduct with gross negligence that caused the worker's death or were reckless as to the risk of death or serious injury.

Additionally, a project manager at the company has been charged with allegedly engaging in gross negligence or reckless conduct under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.

The Director of Public Prosecutions filed the charges last week in Adelaide Magistrates Court against Nylastex Tooling Pty Ltd, Nylastex Holdings Pty Ltd, and the directors. This marks the first time such charges have been laid in South Australia since industrial manslaughter became a criminal offence two years ago.

Sources