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The parents of a young man who was killed while working on a gas drilling rig 10 years ago say waiting to get answers has been like torture.
"They pretty much torture your sanity because of this process and it's just not fair," Michelle Dodunski told ABC's 7.30 program.
Her son, Gareth Dodunski, was fatally crushed by a large hydraulic torque wrench at the Santos Fairview Mining camp in Queensland's Roma Basin in 2013.
Gareth Dodunski's employer, Saxon Energy, and a co-worker were both charged with reckless behaviour and initially convicted, but the convictions were later overturned on appeal.
Because of these legal prosecutions, the coronial findings into his death were only handed down on Thursday.
His parents struggle to understand why they had to wait so long to get answers.
"The justice system, that's what we got told once. We were told this is the justice system," Phil Dodunski said.
"Something needs to change," Michelle Dodunski explained.
"So that people don't have to endure, on top of a horrific loss of any loved one, having to go through a process that's just a ridiculous amount of time."
Gareth's death 'not an accident'
Coroner Donald MacKenzie found the then 21-year-old Gareth Dodunski died from catastrophic head injuries when the drill rig machinery crushed him.
"The death was not an accident … the law does not recognise an event as an accident when there was a duty to keep the injured person safe," he said.
The coroner found the incident that led to Mr Dodunski's death "could be seen as being solely the consequence of momentary inattention" by a co-worker, "however a focus in identifying individuals to blame is not helpful when looking for ways to prevents similar deaths".
He noted a series of contributing failures identified by the government regulator including a failure by Saxon Energy to satisfactorily implement risk management systems.
Other factors included no visual or audible warning alarms to make workers aware of drill rig machinery being operated, there being no easily accessible emergency stop button, and the inexperience of some workers.
"In 2013, South East Queensland was undergoing a gas exploration boom – whilst it could never make an excuse, companies like Santos and Saxon were experiencing severe staff shortages which led to less experienced personnel operating dangerous equipment.
"Since 2013, what is clear is that each of the above concerns and others have been addressed in some way by Santos, Saxon and Resources Safety and Health Queensland."
The coroner nonetheless made two recommendations.
'Taken too long'
Noting that the initial investigation was hampered by some witnesses refusing to give evidence, Magistrate MacKenzie recommended the Queensland government give investigators coercive powers to gather information.
He also recommended the state government harmonise various work and safety acts into one body of legislation.
The coroner noted that some of the concerns expressed by Gareth Dodunski's parents had been addressed, such as the setting up of a dedicated resource industry safety unit.
"We commend them for doing this," Michelle Dodunski said.
"But it's taken too long to do it – this battle has been going on for 10 years."
The Dodunskis hope better safety regulation and awareness will be their son's legacy.
"It could have been more, it could have been even more of a legacy," Phil Dodunski said.
His wife agreed.
"It's got to be the minimum for Gareth that there is a legacy – just enforce your safety."
The coroner praised Gareth Dodunski's parents for their tenacity and relentlessness.
"His family have worked tirelessly to ensure Gareth's death is not forgotten and advocated for improvements in the industry which would ensure that such a death does not occur again to another family."
The company which has since taken over Saxon Energy, SLB said in a statement to 7.30 that "the tragic events of 2013 remains in many people's thoughts".
"Saxon Energy Services has fully cooperated over the past 10 yeas since the accident occurred and following the company's acquittal during court proceedings."
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