South Australia has made legal history with its first-ever industrial manslaughter prosecution, stemming from the tragic 2024 death of a 28-year-old worker at a local manufacturing facility. The fatal incident unfolded on July 24 at Nylastex Tooling’s Edwardstown plant, where Lachlan Carslake was operating milling machinery when he was reportedly struck in the head by a loose metal object. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his severe injuries.
Four defendants — company owners Graham and Winifred Philips, along with two linked entities Nylastex Tooling and Nylastex Holding — are facing the most serious charges in the case: counts of industrial manslaughter and recklessly exposing an employee to lethal risk. A third individual, Nylastex Tooling manager Graham Rowe, has been charged with two lesser offenses: failing to fulfill mandatory workplace health and safety obligations, and knowingly exposing a worker to the risk of death.
The case made its first official appearance at Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday. During the brief preliminary hearing, all defendants stood together in the dock and were not required to enter pleas or make statements to the court. Prosecutors confirmed that all compiled evidence files had already been handed over to the defense legal teams, after which the judge adjourned the proceeding. None of the defendants addressed reporters from the media as they exited the courthouse.
This prosecution marks a watershed moment for South Australia’s workplace safety regulations. The charges were brought by SafeWorkSA under a recent amendment to the state’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, which formally added industrial manslaughter as an indictable offense carrying stiff penalties. Convicted individuals face a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, while companies found guilty of reckless or grossly negligent conduct leading to a worker’s death can be fined up to 18 million Australian dollars. The case is scheduled to return to court for further proceedings in October.