Several groups surrounding civil construction firm John Holland will face Federal Court over allegations that federal health and safety laws were breached, leading to the death of a rail maintenance worker on the Perth CityLink.

Federal health and safety regulator Comcare released a statement last week saying three companies will be involved in proceedings over an incident in December 2011, when a worker was struck and killed by a rail maintenance vehicle.

Comcare will allege both John Holland Pty Ltd and John Holland Group Ltd did not take reasonable steps to protect workers’ safety, and that John Holland Rail Pty Ltd – the company responsible for manufacturing the vehicle – did not properly ensure the design and construction of the vehicle adequately protected the workers under normal conditions.

The maximum penalty for each breach is $242,000.

The worker died at the site of the Wellington Street Tunnel in Perth, after being hit by a JCB Fastrac Tractor with rail wheels attached to it. The modification is made to enable it to operate on rail tracks as well as conventional roads.

Media outlets at the time suggested the vehicle had been incorrectly positioned on tracks, and had been out of control at the time of the incident, these unconfirmed reports will be tested as part of the trial.

The rail component of the Perth CityLink Project was much lauded when it was completed six months ahead of schedule. The project saw the sinking of a rail line across part of the city, reconnecting the centre with Perth’s north side.