WorkSafe has initiated the first three prosecutions for two fatalities involving mining companies under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 , which came into effect in March 2022. In the first two prosecutions, mine contractor MACA Mining Pty Ltd and mine operator Greenmount Resources Pty Ltd have been charged with failing to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of...

WorkSafe is investigating the work-related death of a labourer at the road reserve on the Warwick Road offramp of the Mitchell Freeway. The man was reported to have been struck by a piece of equipment that fell. WorkSafe investigators are currently examining the circumstances of the incident with a view to ensuring compliance and preventing future incidents of a similar nature. WorkSafe...

The transitional period for compliance with regulations governing falls from height on WA construction sites will be extended following a decision made by Industrial Relations Minister Simone McGurk. The transitional period will now last until September 30, 2026 and will be followed by a six-month Statement of Regulatory Intent to assist transition to the new laws. WorkSafe Commissioner Sally...

A construction company has been fined a total of $90,000 after a worker suffered serious injuries when he fell through a polycarbonate sheet on a patio roof. Apollo Construction & Renovation Pty Ltd was charged with failing to ensure the regulator was notified of the incident, failing to ensure the site where the incident occurred was not disturbed and failing to ensure that a safe work...

A sole trader has been fined $10,000 (and ordered to pay $4000 in costs) for removing asbestos fencing when he did not have an asbestos removal licence. Justin John Collins pleaded guilty to having carried out work when he was not authorised to carry out that class of work and was fined in the Perth Magistrates Court last Friday. In April 2022, Mr Collins removed and disposed of 41 metres of...

WorkSafe is investigating work-related deaths in two separate incidents today. At around 8am in Donnybrook, a male worker suffered fatal injuries while in the process of collecting a skip bin from the front yard of a residential premises. WorkSafe investigators attended and conducted an examination of the scene. At around 2pm at Maida Vale, a worker is believed to have been electrocuted while...

WorkSafe has initiated the first four prosecutions under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 , which came into effect in March 2022. Wesbeam Pty Ltd, a manufacturer of engineered wood product, has been charged with failing in its duty while in control of plant and consequently causing serious harm to an individual. WorkSafe will allege that in April 2022, an operator at Wesbeam’s Neerabup factory...

WorkSafe has commenced a proactive inspection program to look at site security issues on WA construction sites. The inspection program will look at a number of randomly-selected sites across metropolitan and regional areas of the State throughout the 2024/25 financial year. There have been incidents in which construction sites have been accessed by unauthorised persons, exposing them to serious...

With Ex-TC Lincoln threatening the N-W coast, businesses in the affected area have been reminded to ensure that cyclone contingency plans have been established and are in operation. The Bureau of Meteorology expects the system to move out to sea, and there is a high chance it will re-intensify as a cyclone and track towards the west Pilbara coast this weekend. Acting WorkSafe Commissioner Sally...

A transport company has been prosecuted by WorkSafe over an incident that left a worker with serious and permanent leg injuries. Toll Transport Pty Ltd has been charged with failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace and, by that failure, causing serious harm to an employee. The company was also charged with failing to ensure that the movement and speed of vehicles and plant at the...

The WorkSafe Mines Safety inspectorate has identified a concerning number of notifiable incidents where the site has not been preserved as required by the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 section 39(1). What is a notifiable incident? A 'notifiable incident' is: the death of a person, a serious injury or illness , or a dangerous incident . arising out of the conduct of a business or undertaking at...

WorkSafe’s prosecution of Fortescue over failing to supply documents and answer questions is to be discontinued, with an Enforceable Undertaking agreed to by both parties. Acting WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North has accepted an undertaking by Fortescue to deliver wide-ranging strategies to address inappropriate workplace behaviours in the mining industry. An Enforceable Undertaking is an...