GVIP Storage Pty Ltd director Chris Georgopoulos has pleaded not guilty as the company prepares to stand trial over the 2023 death of truck driver Mario Scapin, 50, who was found unresponsive in a low-oxygen coolroom in Shepparton.
WorkSafe charged the northern Victoria fruit-growing company with two offences under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, citing failure to maintain a safe workplace.
A two-day hearing at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court heard that the company leased the coolrooms from Rendevski Transport, and that staff and contractors were warned the rooms were unsafe. Scapin was reportedly found inside with a shopping bag.
Magistrate Amina Bhai committed GVIP Storage to stand trial, saying there was sufficient evidence for a conviction. The matter will continue in November at Melbourne’s County Court.
Family members, including Scapin’s sister Angela Lanza and daughter Jessica Scapin, attended the hearing.
Lanza described it as “a very difficult day” with “lots of tears,” while Jessica said it was “very hard to comprehend” and “surreal” to learn of her father’s death.
She added the family hopes “it doesn’t happen to anyone else and no other family has to go through it.”
Source: ABC.
