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.
A Sydney concrete pumping company has been fined $375,000 after a tragic workplace incident that resulted in the death of a worker. The NSW District Court handed down the penalty following a fatal accident involving an unsecured hose, which caused fatal head injuries to the employee. The company director was also fined $10,000 and ordered to complete due diligence and risk management training through a Registered Training Organisation.
Did you know that certain state Safety Regulators are cracking down on safety for specific industries? Due to a recent series of serious injuries & fatalities, the industries in focus are Construction in NSW as well as Retail & Transport in WA.
Employees who operate machinery & equipment as part of their job are at risk of major injury if the correct safety precautions are not taken. There are specific laws for working with machinery & equipment. Recent data from SafeWork NSW highlight risks.
Workplace safety is not just a legal requirement, it is a fundamental responsibility that protects lives and sustains business integrity. Recently, a landmark ruling in New South Wales underscored the gravity of neglecting safety obligations. A company was fined $1 million after being found guilty of breaching the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, marking one of the largest penalties ever imposed under Australian WHS law.
This case sends a powerful message to all industries. Failure to prioritise safety can result in devastating financial consequences, reputational damage, and, most importantly, risks to human life. For businesses, it is a reminder that compliance is not optional; it is essential.
Recently we have been involved with an increased number of fall related incidents. The injuries sustained, & the resulting workers compensation claims, can often be complex & costly. In addition to claim related costs, employers also face material fines for unsafe work sites.
After providing advice and support recently to various clients with workers having sustained injuries (5 metre + 10 metre falls to concrete and an employee falling down fire escape), we wanted to provide greater insights into fall related incidents.