Melbourne Water fined for worker's death

Melbourne Water has been fined $400,000 for failing to provide a safe workplace for a man who drowned in a sewage treatment channel.

Tim Bakerov, 53, died after falling into a channel at Melbourne Water's Eastern Treatment Plant at Bangholme in December 2011.

Melbourne Water pleaded guilty to failing to provide a safe workplace for Mr Bakerov after investigations showed a grate covering had given way or was missing.

Victorian County Court Judge Christopher O'Neill said on Thursday the company had demonstrated clear and substantial failure in protecting Mr Bakerov.

"There were a number of incidents going back three years where there were clear reports of missing or displaced grates on the walkways," he said.

"No steps were taken to investigate the risk of slatted grates becoming dislodged, and no consequent steps taken to secure them."

Judge O'Neill recorded a conviction against Melbourne Water, and fined it $400,000.

In a statement issued after the verdict, Melbourne Water chairman Paul Clark said the company was doing all it could to prevent a repeat of the incident.

"We recognise the devastating impact of this tragic incident and sincerely express our condolences to Tim's family and friends," Mr Clark said.

"We have gone further than comply with WorkSafe's improvement notice, immediately initiating a program of improvements at all of our operational sites."