Summary of the Court Case Against Multiquip Poultry Pty Ltd and Poultry Enterprises NSW Pty Ltd
Facts of the Case:
On August 16, 2021, Nathan Gutterson (19) was killed in a forklift accident while working at a poultry farm in Bective, near Tamworth.
He was employed for hand and machine catching of chickens at ProTen Farm.
The work environment was dimly lit to meet RSPCA and welfare standards for handling poultry.
Mr Gutterson was wearing a grey hoodie over his high-vis shirt at the time of the incident.
At 3:40 AM, a worker operating a forklift to transport a module accidentally struck and ran over Mr Gutterson, causing fatal blunt force trauma to the head.
Workers attempted CPR, but he was declared dead at the scene when paramedics arrived at 4:25 AM.
Court Findings:
The risk of workers being struck by mobile plant was known to both Multiquip Poultry Pty Ltd and Poultry Enterprises NSW Pty Ltd.
Exclusion zones between workers and forklifts were required but were poorly communicated.
The work environment (dim lighting and proximity of workers to moving machinery) was inherently dangerous.
Mr Gutterson had undergone some training but had not completed formal machine catching training or site-specific inductions.
The companies admitted guilt, acknowledging they failed to ensure worker safety, leading to Mr Gutterson’s death.
Penalties & Financial Impact:
Each company was fined $300,000, totalling $600,000.
They were convicted and ordered to pay the prosecutor's costs.
Since the incident, Multiquip has spent over $6.1 million on safety measures, including:
Revised work systems with designated forklift and pedestrian zones.
Stricter safety procedures (headlamps, additional high-vis clothing).
Hiring work health & safety advisors.
Multiquip Transport was rebranded as Multiquip Poultry Pty Ltd in 2021, and Poultry Enterprises NSW Pty Ltd was created as a staff resource for the group.
Total Cost to the Companies:
Fines: $600,000
Legal Costs: Additional, unspecified
Safety Upgrades & WHS Investments: $6.1 million
Reputation Damage & Rebranding Costs: Not quantified but significant
The total financial impact exceeds $6.7 million, alongside the loss of life, emotional distress, and legal consequences faced by the companies.
Allied Partnerships Australia’s Position on Workplace Safety and Risk Management
At Allied Partnerships Australia, we believe this tragic case highlights the absolute necessity of proactive workplace safety and risk management. The death of 19-year-old Nathan Gutterson was preventable, and it is a stark reminder of why organisations must prioritise Work Health and Safety (WHS) at every level—not just in compliance but in genuine cultural commitment.
At the heart of Allied Partnerships Australia’s mission is the unwavering commitment to keeping frontline workers safe. We achieve this by empowering directors, decision-makers, and those in positions of influence to cultivate a WHS culture that prioritises safety leadership.
A true safety culture is one where workers are encouraged to speak up, stop the job if safety measures need reviewing, and actively engage in education and training to make the best possible decisions—for themselves, their colleagues, and the long-term sustainability of the business.
Key Issues Identified:
Failure in Risk Communication & Management:
The risk of being struck by mobile plant was known, yet proper exclusion zones were not enforced.
The lighting conditions—while adhering to RSPCA standards—created additional dangers that could have been mitigated.
The worker had not completed key site-specific training, exposing him to avoidable risks.
Reactive vs. Proactive Safety Investment:
Since the incident, Multiquip has spent over $6.1 million on safety, but why wasn’t this investment made before a life was lost?
Safety should not be an afterthought or crisis response—it must be an ingrained part of every organisation’s DNA.
A culture where workers feel empowered to halt unsafe work could have prevented this tragedy.
The Cost of Non-Compliance:
$600,000 in fines plus millions in safety compliance measures after the fact.
The financial burden pales in comparison to the cost of a lost life and the emotional toll on the family, coworkers, and community.
A strong WHS culture isn’t just ethical—it’s good business. Prevention is far less costly than legal action, compensation, and reputational damage.
Allied Partnerships Australia’s Stance:
Workplace safety must be proactive, not reactive.
Compliance alone is not enough—companies must embed safety leadership into their operations.
Risk awareness must translate into tangible actions, not just policy documents.
Safety investments should be prioritised before incidents occur, not as a post-crisis reaction.
Workers must be empowered to make safety-conscious decisions without fear of repercussions.
This case serves as a warning to all businesses: failing to effectively manage workplace risks doesn’t just result in financial penalties—it costs lives.
At Allied Partnerships Australia, we help businesses take ownership of their safety culture, ensuring that workplaces don’t just meet the minimum legal standard but operate at the highest level of duty of care for their employees.
Through education, leadership empowerment, and practical WHS strategies, we build organisations where speaking up, stopping work for safety, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement is the norm. Because safety isn’t just a legal obligation—it’s the foundation of a sustainable and responsible business.
Conclusion
Whilst not wanting to highlight companies to name and shame, the facts remain that the improvements made by the company came after the tragic loss of a life. No doubt, for all those involved, there has been extensive emotional damage. At Allied Partnerships Australia, we do not seek to criticise, but rather to shine a light on the findings and lessons learned from this case.
We reach out to those who currently operate their businesses under similar risks—whether identified or unidentified—and urge them to take action before tragedy strikes. These risks are not just operational hazards; they have dire and tragic consequences.
We invite directors, decision-makers, and business leaders to engage with our firm and start a conversation about building a proactive, safety-first culture that protects lives and ensures a sustainable, ethical business future.