ARTICLE · 19 MAY 2017

Getting the Blues - Interstate comparatives now apply to WHS penalty assessments

McCullough Robertson

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Qld work health and safety penalties will now be benchmarked against other jurisdictions which have harmonised WHS laws.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

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WHO SHOULD READ THIS

Managers and work health and safety professionals.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

A recent appeal decision means that work health and safety penalties in Queensland will now be benchmarked against comparatives in other jurisdictions that also have harmonised WHS laws. Much higher penalties may now be imposed for breaches of WHS legislation.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

Continue to ensure there are appropriate steps in place for identifying and managing work health and safety issues. However, it is also prudent to now consider:
- whether incident management plans have the right protocols are in place, including for the involvement of legal advisors as part of post incident management, and

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