In its first decision of 2016, the Industrial Court of
Queensland ruled in Simon Blackwood (Worker's Compensation
Regulator) v Civeo Pty Ltd and Anor [2016] ICQ 001 that an
assualt to a sleeping worker was compensable under the
Worker's Compensation & Rehabilitation Act 2003
(Qld) on the basis he "was doing the very thing the
company had encouraged him to do". It is timely reminder
to those Councils with large geographical boundaries and in remote
regions who accomodate workers particularly in camp arragements
while undertaking their jobs.
Background
In the course of his employment, Mr Cumbers was required to
travel between five campsites owned by his employer to service each
site's commercial appliances. During these services Mr Cumbers
took up his employer's offer of onsite accommodation. One
evening after the end of the working day, Mr Cumbers joined a group
of friends, consumed alcohol and smoked marijuana, and eventually
retired to his room. While he was
