Trent Close has called for unity and change on the final day of an inquest into his father’s death.
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Terrence Close died in hospital after being hit by a ute on Vermont Road at Mowbray in 2013.
At the time of the incident, Mr Close was working as a traffic controller for Altus Traffic on a Vernarchie Contracting crack-sealing site.
The man who hit Mr Close, Murray Higgs, pleaded guilty to negligent driving causing death and was sentenced to three months’ jail, wholly suspended for 12 months.
The inquest before coroner Simon Cooper examined Tasmania’s safety procedures and requirements for road workers, including the use of witches hats, bollards and shadow vehicles to protect traffic controllers.
For nearly six years, Trent has been at every court date to ensure his father’s death did not become a bureaucratic battle.
“I hope this never happens again,” he said.
The emotional and mental toll of the drawn-out process had been difficult for Trent and his family.
“I’ve had ups and downs. I had depression … but with the support of my family, I pulled through,” he said.
“I wouldn’t wish it on anybody, it is horrible.”
Trent briefly spoke before the inquest ended. He asked for everyone to “get on the same page” and implement changes that would prevent another death.
During the first three days of the inquest the court heard about the possibility of placing shadow vehicles before traffic controllers to act as a safety barrier between them and oncoming traffic.
“I hope they bring in the so-called shadow vehicle,” Trent said.
Work-site inspections were also something Trent wanted to see introduced.
“Safety officers need to get out more,” he said.
On the third day of the inquest, the court heard a Worksafe inspector’s random checks of roadwork sites more than halved after his work car was taken off him.
Instead of inspectors having their own cars, the company introduced pool cars and staff members were required to travel to the office and book a car before heading out, former Worksafe inspector Steven Collins said.
When asked if he thought his dad’s death was preventable, Trent said definitely.
“You’ve got to be observant, you can’t just drive willy-nilly, that’s why there’s law,” he said.
Venarchie Contracting pleaded not guilty to failing to comply with a category two health and safety duty in 2015 and was later found not guilty.
In the same year, Atlus Traffic pleaded guilty to the same charge.
Two years later the company was fined $250,000 for failing to provide Mr Close with a safe workplace.
Findings from the inquest were expected to be released in the new year.
