Jan 28, 2020

Very large text size A former SKM manager is suing the embattled recycler for millions of dollars after his leg allegedly caught in a rope connected to a bulldozer, hoisting him “three or four metres high” and dragging him 15 metres through the site. Documents lodged by Michael Melchiorre, 54, in the Supreme Court allege he suffered significant injuries after a rope became wrapped around his foot at SKM Industries’ Laverton North premises while he was working as operations manager in December 2017. A worker walking through the SKM site at Laverton North in April 2018, five months after the accident. Credit:Jason South Mr Melchiorre says the rope was “then caught by the bucket of a bulldozer that became operational”, causing him to be “flung in the air" and subsequently dragged about 15 metres before being dropped onto concrete. He is claiming damages for loss of earnings from the remaining 13 years of his working life in his $3000-a-week job, alleging he was totally incapacitated by his injuries. Advertisement Loading If he is successful, the compensation bill for the insolvent recycler, which would be picked up by an insurer, would amount to millions. Mr Melchiorre also claims SKM breached occupational and health and safety laws by letting him work in an unsafe environment improperly set up for his job. Carbone Lawyers' John Karantzis, who is representing Mr Melchiorre, said his client is permanently disabled because of his work injuries at the site. "At SKM, the state of the premises was unsafe. He was a hard-working guy, and now he's totally unable to work," Mr Karantzis said. Mr Melchiorre says he has spinal injuries and has suffered stress, anxiety and depression since the incident.