WorkSafe

A construction company has been fined $320,000 (and ordered to pay $22,212.45 in costs) over an incident in 2017 in which a young worker fell to his death.

17-year-old Wesley Ballantine died after he fell through a void in the roof of an internal atrium at the old GPO building during the construction of the H&M store in Forrest Place, Perth.

Industrial Construction Services Pty Ltd (ICS) was found guilty of failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment and, by that failure, causing the death of Wesley Ballantine (maximum fine $400,000).

An exploration drilling company has been fined $256,000 (and ordered to pay $2363.50 in costs) over an incident in which a contractor died after being struck by a large “stillson” wrench.

The stillson – otherwise known as a pipe wrench – had been attached to a drill rig that was being operated under hydraulic power.

A South Bayswater engineering company has been fined $200,000 (and ordered to pay $3320.50 in costs) over an incident in which a worker’s arm was amputated below the elbow.

B&Y Precision Engineering Pty Ltd (trading as De Cassan Industries) pleaded guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment and was fined in the Armadale Magistrates Court last week.

In October 2018, an employee at B&Y was instructed to polish a steel shaft to reduce its diameter so a bearing could be slid onto it.

WorkSafe is investigating the work-related death yesterday of a 72-year-old farmer at Maya in WA’s Mid-West, around 240km NNE of Perth.

The man was reported to have been jump-starting an old tractor in order to use it to release a bogged truck when the tractor struck him. It then continued travelling into a paddock where it hit trees and started a fire.

WorkSafe investigators examine the circumstances of incidents with a view to ensuring compliance and preventing future incidents of a similar nature.

WorkSafe is investigating the work-related death of a shearer at Katrine, between Northam and Toodyay.

The man was reported to have been placing wool into a wool press yesterday when he was caught in the machinery.

WorkSafe investigators examine the circumstances of incidents in workplaces with a view to ensuring compliance and preventing future incidents of a similar nature.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Darren Kavanagh said any work-related death was a tragedy, and relayed his sincere condolences to the man’s family.

WorkSafe is investigating the work-related death of an 89-year-old farmer at Berkshire Valley – 200km north of Perth – late on Tuesday.

The farmer was reported to have been unloading hay from a tractor when the vehicle slipped into gear and rolled, striking him.

WorkSafe investigators examine the circumstances of incidents with a view to ensuring compliance and preventing future incidents of a similar nature.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Darren Kavanagh said any work-related death was a tragedy, and relayed his sincere condolences to the man’s family.

The State of Western Australia (Department of Justice) has been fined $900,000 (and ordered to pay $6404 in costs) after an employee was seriously injured when attacked by a dog that was intended to respond to critical incidents.

Department of Justice pleaded guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment and, by that failure, causing serious harm to an employee, and was fined in the Armadale Magistrates Court yesterday.

The new Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 (WHS Regulations) were gazetted on 11 March 2022 and will commence on the 31 March 2022, bringing the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 into full force and effect.

The WHS Regulations replace the current Occupational and Safety Regulations 1996 (OSH Regulations). You can access the WHS Regulations on the WA Legislation website: WALW - Work Health and Safety Act 2020 - Subsidiary legislation.

The new Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 (WHS Regulations) were gazetted on 11 March 2022 and will commence on the 31 March 2022, bringing the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 into full force and effect.

The WHS Regulations replace the current Occupational and Safety Regulations 1996 (OSH Regulations). You can access the WHS Regulations on the WA Legislation website: WALW - Work Health and Safety Act 2020 - Subsidiary legislation.

A Bayswater waste recycling company has been fined $230,000 after successfully appealing an earlier conviction in which it was fined $330,000 over an incident in which a labour hire worker’s arm was amputated at the shoulder.

Resource Recovery Solutions Pty Ltd was previously found guilty and sentenced in November 2020 for two offences – gross negligence in failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment for a labour hire worker, and non-compliance with an improvement notice issued by WorkSafe.