Businesses are faced with numerous different risks, yet anticipating and effectively managing their people risks is critical to building trust inside and outside of your business. With such risks posing major threats, effective risk management becomes a business imperative. What are the common risks Australian businesses should be aware of and address?
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Incident Notification: What Australian Businesses Must Know
Under Australia’s Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation, businesses are legally required to record and report workplace hazards, injuries, and incidents. However, knowing exactly what to report, and to whom, can be confusing.
Read more: Incident NotificationA notifiable incident is a serious workplace event that must be reported to your WHS regulator. This includes:
When and How to Notify
If a notifiable incident occurs, you must:
Preserving the scene does not prevent you from helping the injured, removing a deceased person, making the site safe, or assisting police or inspectors.
Why It Matters
Failing to notify a notifiable incident can lead to significant legal and financial consequences. Prompt reporting ensures compliance, supports investigations, and helps prevent future harm.
For more information, visit SafeWork NSW’s Incident Notification page.
In an emergency, always call 000. For notifiable incidents, contact 13 10 50 immediately.
For all other help, contact our team to discuss.
National Waste Management company, Cleanaway Operations Pty Ltd is facing charges of up to $1.5 million for failing to provide appropriate Work Health & Safety systems for their workers. In June 2021 a worker was injured while using a machine that is designed to compress cardboard & plastics into bales. The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) has declared the company has failed in its WHS duties.
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AGL Macquarie Pty Limited was fined $450,000 for failing to have a Safe Work Method Statement after a transformer oil cooler exploded at Liddell Power Station, injuring two workers. The blast was caused by a long-standing leak mistakenly believed to be inactive. A 25% fine reduction was granted for a guilty plea. The offence carries a maximum penalty of $1.77 million under the WHS Act 2011, Section 19(1), with duties under Section 32.
Liddell Power Station has four 500 MW steam generator units, each with a turbine and three transformers. In response, AGL proposed a $1.13 million enforceable undertaking featuring safety-focused initiatives.
Contact us to know more.
REFERENCE
Source: SafeWork NSW
Title: AGL Macquarie Pty Limited
Link: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/compliance-and-prosecutions/enforceable-undertakings/2018-eu-accordion/agl-macquarie-pty-limited
Work Health & Safety (WHS) terminology can be confusing & a particular phrase we get asked about is, what’s a PCBU? A PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) is any entity that performs work under WHS laws. It is important to note that a PCBU can also be an individual who conducts a business or undertaking.
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A recent WorkSafe Victoria prosecution has highlighted the severe consequences businesses face when they fail to meet their Work Health & Safety (WHS) obligations. A crane company was fined $400,000 after a major safety breach resulted in a worker’s death and multiple injuries. This case serves as a powerful reminder of the legal and moral responsibilities held by every person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU).
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