Health & Safety Handbook

22/08/2025

BULLETIN: A Melbourne-based building company was fined $65,000 for exposing workers to a risk of electrocution, even though no injury was sustained.

A Melbourne-based building company was fined $65,000 for exposing workers to a risk of electrocution, even though no injury was sustained (WorkSafe Victoria v Willoworks Pty Ltd [2025]). As the principal contractor of the site, the building company, Willoworks Pty Ltd, was found to have breached sec...

19/08/2025

CASE LAW: An employer that dismissed an employee for breaching its zero-tolerance alcohol policy appealed the Fair Work Commission decision ordering reinstatement.

https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/case-law/appeal-denied-after-employee-wins-reinstatement-following-alcohol-related-dismissal/

12/08/2025

CASE LAW: A flour mill operator pleaded guilty and was fined in relation to an incident in which a worker’s hand was crushed in a milling machine.

https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/case-law/flour-mill-operator-fined-56-250-in-relation-to-crushing-injury/

08/08/2025

BULLETIN: The Geelong County Court in Victoria doubled the penalty for a construction company on appeal in relation to an incident in which a pedestrian narrowly escaped injury.

The Geelong County Court in Victoria doubled the penalty for a construction company on appeal in relation to an incident in which a pedestrian narrowly escaped injury (WorkSafe Victoria v E.J. Lyons & Sons Proprietary Limited [2025]). The construction company, E.J. Lyons & Sons Proprietary Limited,....

04/08/2025

Q&A: Under work health and safety legislation, what does the work ‘recklessly’ mean? Find the answer in the Health & Safety Handbook.

https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/question-and-answer/what-does-recklessly-mean-in-health-and-safety-law/

01/08/2025

BULLETIN: A Victorian steel manufacturer was fined $90,000 earlier this month for an incident in which a worker’s hand was trapped in rollers of a steel-bending machine.

A Victorian steel manufacturer was fined $90,000 earlier this month for an incident in which a worker’s hand was trapped in rollers of a steel-bending machine (WorkSafe Victoria v Retired AKZ Pty Ltd [formerly AKZ REINFORCING PTY LTD] [2025]). After being hired in early May 2023 as a

29/07/2025

Q&A: If an employee sexually harasses another outside the workplace and work hours, could it still be misconduct for which you can take disciplinary action? Find out in the Health & Safety Handbook.

https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/question-and-answer/can-out-of-work-conduct-constitute-workplace-sexual-harassment/

25/07/2025

BULLETIN: A Victorian tiling company was fined $35,000 for an incident in which a newly installed jib crane detached from the ground while lifting two 220 kilograms slabs of stone.

A Victorian tiling company was fined $35,000 for an incident in which a newly installed jib crane detached from the ground while lifting two 220 kilograms slabs of stone. Although no one was injured, the company was found to have contravened the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic)

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....