The Andrews Labor Government is putting unsafe employers on notice with the launch of a new campaign highlighting Victoria’s new workplace manslaughter laws.
Minister for Workplace Safety Jill Hennessy joined WorkSafe Chief Executive Colin Radford today to launch the advertising blitz, which warns employers of the tough financial penalties and jail terms they face if their negligence causes a workplace death.
With five workplace deaths already this year, the campaign is a timely reminder of the responsibility all employers to ensure that their employees are safe at work.
Under the Labor Government’s workplace manslaughter legislation, companies will face more than $16 million in fines, and individual employers responsible for a workplace death up to 20 years in jail.
The Government is investing $10 million towards the implementation of the new laws, including dedicated support for families following a workplace death and a specialist WorkSafe team to lead investigations and prosecutions.
More WorkSafe inspections than ever before were undertaken in 2019 with 49,771 visits completed and 14,939 health and safety compliance notices issued.
The Government is strengthening WorkSafe by recruiting an additional 40 specialist construction inspectors by 2022, with recruitment now underway for 10 of those positions.
Sadly 24 workers died in 2019 with farms were once again the most dangerous workplaces with six deaths. Tragically, two of these were children aged two and three years old.
The construction industry also continues to be overrepresented in workplace fatality statistics following the death of five workers. In total there were nine industries that recorded at least one workplace fatality last year.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Workplace Safety Jill Hennessy
“We promised to put these laws in place and that is exactly what we have done - employers are on notice that from 1 July this year they face steep penalties if they fail to protect their workers.”
“Everyone has a right to return home safe from work, no matter what industry they work in – we’re putting more inspectors on the ground and doing more inspections than ever before.”
Quotes attributable to WorkSafe Chief Executive Colin Radford
“Twenty-four people died in a workplace incident in 2019, that’s 24 families, groups of friends and communities who have lost a loved one, a friend, a team mate or a colleague.”
“There are no excuses for putting workers’ lives at risk and WorkSafe will not hesitate to prosecute those who do.”
Reviewed 30 July 2020