Consequences of breaches and disregard for the safety of workers result in various fines and mandatory measures to correct misconduct. Failing to comply with WHS duties are reflected in 3 different degrees of severity under the WHS Act, depending on their circumstances, outcomes and whether recklessness is shown by the employer in their duty to ensure appropriate WHS for their workers.
Sexual discrimination & harassment is described by the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW as when someone is “treated unfairly or harassed”. On the back of the recent Me Too media coverage, we look at the impacts in the workplace & resulting claims.
It is essential to be aware of safety, hazards & risks in your workplace & more so for those in the construction industry. Working at heights & near utilities are high risk activities & currently a focus for SafeWork NSW (refer our article Safety Regulators Crackdown).
October is National Safe Work Month. A SafeWork Australia initiative that is highlighted by the annual Australia wide campaign to increase awareness & safety focus via events, workshops, kits, seminars & other safety activities.
A Victorian business has been fined $1.130 million for failing to ensure employees wore hi-vis PPE. Tragically whilst working late at night in dark conditions, a worker was struck & killed by a forklift in 2015. The employer has since been found to have breached their safety duties.
A NSW business on the Mid North Coast was fined $375,000 over the death of a worker in 2015. The employer pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 32 of the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2011 for failing to comply with its duty under Section 19 (1) of the act.