Monday 22nd February 2021

Safety News Roundup: Monday 22nd February 2021

Welcome to our Monday safety news update, bringing you the latest workplace safety developments from across Australia and beyond. Today's roundup covers a tragic racing industry incident and a mining company's admission of cultural heritage destruction.

Multiple Charges Filed Over Apprentice Jockey's Death

WorkSafe has charged a turf club with six alleged breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing to ensure people were not exposed to risks.

A 22-year old apprentice jockey died when thrown from her horse while riding on a Cranbourne Racecourse track section on 30 August 2019. WorkSafe alleges the club failed to maintain sand trails and ensure conditions remained safe for use.

The horse trainer faces two additional charges for failing to ensure employees did not ride the sand trails track after dark. Incidents like this highlight why robust safe work method statements remain critical across high-risk industries, including equestrian and racing sports.

The matter is listed for hearing at Melbourne Magistrate's Court next month, on 17 March. Further details are available on the WorkSafe Vic website.

Mining Giant Admits Irreparable Damage to Sacred Indigenous Sites

Australia's major mining company, Rio Tinto, admits its decision to blow up sacred sites in Pilbara has caused irreparable damage to the region.

Following release of its 2020 report, the mining giant accepted blame for destroying Juukan Gorge caves, sites holding significant importance for Aboriginal communities. Management overlooked historical significance when mining agreements were organised between 2006 and 2011.

The company stated: "The decision to destroy the rock shelters was taken nearly eight years ago but, because mining is such a long-cycle industry, that decision was not actually implemented until 2020."

An archaeological study conducted in 2013 and 2014 should have prompted internal review at an earlier date. Rio Tinto now takes steps to overhaul processes and approach to cultural heritage protection.

Newly appointed chief executive Jakob Stausholm said, "Our destruction of the 46,000-year old rock shelters at Juukan Gorge in Western Australia was a breach of that leadership and our values." Three executives have resigned from the company following the scandal.

Full story can be found on the BBC News website.

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Catch Up on Previous Safety News

• Monday 15th February 2021 — last week's safety news summary
• Monday 8th February 2021 — earlier safety updates from February
• Monday 22nd March 2021 — next month's safety news roundup

Stay tuned for further updates as these stories develop. We'll continue tracking regulatory action, workplace incidents, and industry accountability measures affecting construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and other high-risk sectors.