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ARTICLE · 16 JUNE 2013

Safety, something that you ought to know about...

Corrs Chambers Westgarth
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The case is a timely reminder that ignorance of occupational health and safety matters is no excuse for company officers.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Cara Leavesley (Formerly With Corrs Chambers Westgarth)
Cara Leavesley (Formerly With Corrs Chambers Westgarth)
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In this In Brief, we examine a prosecution that WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch described as one that "illustrates that directors have an obligation to directly intervene if necessary in situations where unsafe work practices are taking place".

In Fry v Keating [2013] WASCA 109 (23 April 2013), the Western Australian Supreme Court, Court of Appeal served a timely reminder that ignorance of occupational health and safety matters is no excuse for company officers.

THE RELEVANT LEGISLATION

Section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 (WA) (OSH Act) requires an employer, so far as is practicable, to provide and maintain a working environment in which its employees are not exposed to hazards.

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