CANBERRA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- One of Australia's biggest supermarket chains Woolworths has been charged over the death of a man who was run over after falling asleep in a loading dock.
The driver of a truck hit the 47-year-old man from Maningrida in the Northern Territory (NT) while leaving the loading dock of a Woolworths store in Darwin in October 2016.
The driver was subcontracted to a Victorian-based transport and warehouse company.
NT WorkSafe announced on Thursday night that both companies have been charged with failing to comply with a health and safety duty.
"NT WorkSafe will allege Woolworths Ltd failed to implement a traffic management plan, despite knowing the loading dock was frequently used as a short cut by pedestrians and a resting place by itinerants," it said in a statement.
"NT WorkSafe will allege Glen Cameron Nominees Pty Ltd failed to have and maintain an induction program for the driver or refresher training on an annual basis."
The watchdog further alleged that Woolworths, the second-largest company in Australia, failed to provide a site induction for the driver.
Both companies face a maximum penalty of 1.5 million Australian dollars (1.1 million U.S. dollars) if found guilty.
Woolworths said in a statement that it was currently reviewing the matter, and as it is before the courts, "it would be inappropriate for us to make any further comment in relation to the tragic circumstances of this matter."
The case has been listed for mention in the Darwin Local Court on Aug. 21.
