From 2020, businesses and officers in Victoria whose negligent
conduct cause a workplace death may be guilty of workplace
manslaughter. While companies, associations and partnerships will
face fines of up to AUD16.5 million, sole traders and officers
could face up to 20 years of gaol time.
It is clear from the Queensland experience that these workplace
manslaughter offences are not just hypothetical. In Queensland,
Brisbane Auto Recycling Pty Ltd was charged on 25 October 2019 with
industrial manslaughter relating to a worker who was struck and
killed by a reversing forklift at a wrecking yard following the
alleged failure to separate pedestrians and mobile plant. The
industrial manslaughter charge is before the Holland Park
Magistrates Court for committal on 29 November 2019.
