Prosecutions
Safe Work Australia has updated the WHS prosecutions dashboard to reflect the latest publicly available data from 2023.
Fines & Breaches
Apprentice hung from noose, had drill poked in groin
An apprentice was hung from a noose and poked with a drill in his groin as part of prolonged bullying at work, with his employer fined $10,000 over the abuse.
Apprentice hung from noose, had drill poked in groin Read More »
Bus company sentenced over mechanics’ deaths
A Queensland bus company boss has expressed his remorse for failing in his workplace health and safety obligations to two young mechanics killed in a traffic crash on the Sunshine Coast.
Bus company sentenced over mechanics’ deaths Read More »
Worker paralysed after horror fall
A worker left paralysed after falling headfirst into a concrete water tank needed a colleague to hold his head above water while he was rescued, a court has been told.
Worker paralysed after horror fall Read More »
Smallgoods company fined
Queensland’s biggest locally-owned smallgoods company, based in Ormeau, has been fined $70,000 by a Logan court after a teen employee seriously injured his hand in a sausage-making machine.
Smallgoods company fined Read More »
Liability for injuries caused by emptying bins to contractor – where’s the sting?
A labour hire employee who sustained injuries while emptying bins after falling following a wasp sting successfully recovered damages against his employer and labour hirer, but damages for economic loss were reduced due to inconsistent work history.
Liability for injuries caused by emptying bins to contractor – where’s the sting? Read More »
Souvlaki restaurant fined $75,000
A Greek takeaway restaurant has been fined $75,000 after a 22-year-old worker’s ponytail was caught in an unguarded rotisserie machine at a store in Melbourne’s northeast.
Souvlaki restaurant fined $75,000 Read More »
$50,000 fine after fatal boom pump failure
A Balwyn North concrete pumping company has been convicted and fined $50,000 after a concrete boom pump snapped and fatally struck a worker.
$50,000 fine after fatal boom pump failure Read More »
‘Mind-boggling’ oversight led to crush death of worker
Workers at a plant where a man was crushed to death by a 12-tonne crane had previously complained about its operator driving too fast, a judge has heard.
‘Mind-boggling’ oversight led to crush death of worker Read More »
Director not guilty of WHS due diligence offences
On 8 March 2024 the NSW District Court handed down a decision which is one of the first cases to meaningfully consider the conduct of an officer charged with a due diligence offence under work health and safety (WHS) legislation (SafeWork NSW v Miller Logistics Pty Ltd; SafeWork NSW v Mitchell Doble [2024] NSWDC 58 (the Doble decision)).
Director not guilty of WHS due diligence offences Read More »
Kiwifruit worker for Trevelyan’s loses lower leg after being hit by forklift
A Bay of Plenty kiwifruit worker’s life “changed in one second” after a forklift accident at work led to his leg being amputated below the knee.
Kiwifruit worker for Trevelyan’s loses lower leg after being hit by forklift Read More »
Danger that led to employee injury was ‘obvious and known to the employer’: NSW court
The District Court of New South Wales recently dealt with a work health and safety case involving a construction company that failed to ensure the safety of its workers, resulting in serious injuries to a painter who fell through a void at a residential construction site.
Danger that led to employee injury was ‘obvious and known to the employer’: NSW court Read More »
Company Fined, Convicted in Bullying Prosecution Case
Under work health and safety legislation, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) have duties to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable the health and safety of workers in the workplace.
Company Fined, Convicted in Bullying Prosecution Case Read More »
Nar Nar Goon business fined $650k following fatality
A road safety equipment manufacturer has been convicted and fined a total of $650,000 after a truck driver was fatally crushed by a falling steel barrier at a Nar Nar Goon depot.
Nar Nar Goon business fined $650k following fatality Read More »
First charges under new work health and safety laws
WorkSafe has initiated the first four prosecutions under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020, which came into effect in March 2022.
First charges under new work health and safety laws Read More »
