R v Jeffrey Owen [2022] QDCSR 168
Many of Australia's states and territories have
passed legislation amending their respective work health and safety
acts to include the offence of industrial manslaughter (see related
article
here). In a recent common law development, Judge Cash QC of the
Queensland District Court has sent a clear message to Queensland
business owners that the responsibility to create and maintain a
safe work environment is paramount.
R v Jeffrey Owen: in brief
In July 2019, Mr Ormes was tragically killed after a generator
fell from the tines of a forklift and landed on him while he was
carrying out work-related duties for his long-standing friend and
Gympie business owner, Mr Owen. Mr Ormes was neither an employee
nor contractor to the business but rather, volunteered his time. On
25 March 2022, a jury convicted Mr Owen of industrial manslaughter,
an offence punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment in
Queensland.
