Thursday 18th March 2021

Department of Defence fined after worker critically injured. 

The Department of Defence pleaded guilty in the Townsville Magistrates Court to failing in its duties under the Commonwealth Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Defence was convicted and fined $350,000.

In August 2017, a worker was critically injured during an incident on the Royal Australian Air Force base in Townsville. RAAF personnel were removing nylon tape from an aircraft arrestor unit designed to stop planes during emergency landings.

The worker injured was on the rear of a flat-bed truck when the arrestor unit was pulled onto the ground entangling the RAAF member.

The unit landed on the man’s legs, severing one and causing severe injuries to the other.

The Department of Defence was convicted of a Category 2 offence under section 32 of the WHS Act – exposing a person to risk of death or serious injury.

The complete media release can be found on the Comcare website

Borders open, inspectors crack down on the construction industry. 

As construction sites on both sides of the New South Wales/Victorian border return to full capacity, inspectors will be checking work is being completed safely.

During this regional crack down, SafeWork NSW and WorkSafe VIC will be focusing on site housekeeping, height safety, falling objects, electrical, moving plant operations, and silica and asbestos controls.

On-the-spot fines will be issued where breaches of the Act are identified, and more serious offences could be prosecuted under the Work Health and Safety Legislation.

View the full article on the SafeWork NSW website