Health & Safety Handbook

22/07/2025

CASE LAW: A WA salt processor received an $875,000 fine following the death of a plant operator.

https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/case-law/first-prosecution-for-breach-leading-to-a-fatality-under-the-wa-whs-act/

18/07/2025

BULLETIN: An NSW residential builder was fined $225,000 last week in relation to an earthen wall collapsing onto a worker during excavation works.

An NSW residential builder was fined $225,000 last week in relation to an earthen wall collapsing onto a worker during excavation works (SafeWork NSW v Bellabrae Homes Pty Ltd [2025]). Background Bellabrae Homes Pty Ltd was the principal contractor on a new build in North Kellyville, New South Wales

15/07/2025

Q&A: Does a host employer owe a duty of care to a labour hire worker? Find out in the Health & Safety Handbook.

https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/question-and-answer/what-health-and-safety-duties-do-a-host-employer-owe-a-labour-hire-worker/

11/07/2025

BULLETIN: An electrical business and a related business were fined together almost $900,000, following the electrocution of an unsupervised apprentice, who was the son of one of the owners.

In a tragic case, an electrical business, and a related business, were fined together almost $900,000, following the electrocution of an unsupervised apprentice, who was the son of one of the owners. In the Victorian case of WorkSafe Victoria v Nordic Elevators; Nordic Elevator Services (2025), the....

08/07/2025

CASE LAW: A waterproofing service provider was fined over an incident in which adhesive ignited.

https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/case-law/deficient-safe-work-method-statement-and-training-causes-a-sticky-situation/

04/07/2025

BULLETIN: A small business has been fined $180,000 in relation to an incident at the worksite entrance where a newly installed 200-kilogram sliding gate fell onto a woman and her three children.

A small business in New South Wales has been fined $180,000 in relation to an incident at the worksite entrance where a newly installed 200-kilogram sliding gate fell onto a woman and her three children (SafeWork NSW v 465 Leichardt Pty Ltd [2025]). The business, a husband-and-wife company, was

27/06/2025

BULLETIN: A Victorian winery was fined $35,000 earlier this month after a forklift collision crushed a worker’s leg.

A Victorian winery was fined $35,000 earlier this month after a forklift collision crushed a worker’s leg. De Bortoli Wines Pty Ltd is a winery business employing more than 500 people across several sites in regional New South Wales and Victoria, including a winery at Dixons Creek (the

23/06/2025

Q&A: Is an addiction considered a disability and therefore protected under discrimination laws? Find out in the Health & Safety Handbook.

https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/question-and-answer/is-addiction-protected-under-discrimination-laws/

20/06/2025

BULLETIN: A telecommunications infrastructure specialist was fined $500,000 for engaging in reckless conduct and forcing workers to be continuously exposed to a known uncontrolled escape of harmful gas.

A telecommunications infrastructure specialist was fined $500,000 for engaging in reckless conduct and forcing workers to be continuously exposed to a known uncontrolled escape of harmful gas (National Infrastructure Solutions Pty Ltd v WorkSafe Victoria [2025]). Background National Infrastructure S...

13/06/2025

BULLETIN: In a recent Victorian prosecution, a roofing company was fined $25,000 for putting workers at a risk from falls from height, even though no one actually fell.

In a recent Victorian prosecution, a roofing company was fined $25,000 for putting workers at a risk from falls from height, even though no one actually fell (WorkSafe Victoria v Ahwaz Roofing Pty Ltd [2025]). The prosecution arose following an April 2024 report to WorkSafe Victoria. The reporter ob...

10/06/2025

CASE LAW: South Australian greyhound racing body was fined $255,000 for an incident that resulted in a greyhound handler sustaining several serious injuries.

https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/case-law/shortcut-to-255-000-fine-for-greyhound-racing-body/

06/06/2025

BULLETIN: A Gold Coast truck dealership was recently fined $400,000 after a preventable explosion caused the death of a 21-year-old apprentice.

A Gold Coast truck dealership was recently fined $400,000 after a preventable explosion caused the death of a 21-year-old apprentice (WorkSafe Queensland v James Frizelle’s Automotive Group Pty Ltd [2025]). The dealership, James Frizelle’s Automotive Group Pty Ltd (trading as Gold Coast Isuzu), ...