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ARTICLE · 08 JULY 2026

Safety Update - Key Developments And Trends: January 2026 – June 2026

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

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Queensland: In March 2026, Mastermyne Crinum Operations Pty Ltd became the first company convicted of industrial manslaughter under Queensland's Coal Mining Safety and Health Act...

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Anna Creegan
Anna Creegan
Olga Klimczak
Olga Klimczak
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Industrial manslaughter and gross negligence cases

Key points from cases, regulatory updates & legislative changes

  • Queensland: In March 2026, Mastermyne Crinum Operations Pty Ltd became the first company convicted of industrial manslaughter under Queensland's Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 (Qld), following a fatal roof collapse at the Crinum underground mine in September 2021, with the jury returning a majority verdict after Mastermyne used an unconventional shotcrete-only strata support method that was high risk in the circumstances. In May 2026, Mastermyne was sentenced to a $7 million fine plus $299,000 in costs — a record-breaking fine significantly higher than Australia's previous record WHS penalty — with the District Court commenting that this was "a gross breach of safety obligations" and the degree of negligence was "of high order"; Mastermyne has lodged an appeal.

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