The Royal Australian Mint is facing up to $3.5 million in fines after an investigation found a three-tonne coin press almost squashed a worker in Canberra two years ago.
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Regulator Comcare announced on Monday that the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions had charged the mint with three breaches of the federal Work Health and Safety Act.
It said a contractor was moving the coin press with a forklift in the mint's basement in May 2019 when the machine fell, "narrowly missing a worker [who was] standing nearby".
The mint is accused of two offences of "failing to provide a safe system of work and a safe working environment", each with a maximum penalty of a $1.5 million fine.
It is further charged with failing to provide the contractor with an adequate "safe work method statement" for the transportation of the coin press. That offence carries a potential fine of $500,000.
A spokeswoman for the mint declined to reveal how it intended to plead.
"As this is a matter before the courts it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time," she said.
The matter has been listed for mention in the ACT Magistrates Court on June 24.
The mint has produced more than 15 billion circulating coins since Prince Philip opened it in 1965, according to its website.
It is now able to produce two million coins per day.
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