A NEW industrial manslaughter conviction in the ACT carries an imprisonment penalty of up to 20 years for individuals and a $16,500,000 penalty for corporations after a bill was passed today (August 5) making it an offence under the Work Health and Safety Act.  

This change is in response to recommendations made in the 2018 Boland Review into Work Health and Safety laws, along with the Federal Senate Inquiry on Industrial Deaths.

Following the review, 182 Australians were killed at work in 2020 — two of these workplace deaths occurred in the ACT. To date in 2021, there have been 60 workplace deaths in Australia.

Work health and safety commissioner Jacqueline Agius said she’s pleased to see the ACT take this important step in making industrial manslaughter an offence.

“Every worker has the right to a safe workplace, and the right to return home safely at the end of the day. Poor safety practices and culture in any workplace that put human life at risk will not be tolerated,” she said.

To assist and support the family impacted by a workplace death and keep them informed about investigation and prosecution processes, WorkSafe ACT has recruited a dedicated family liaison officer to assist families by connecting them to local and national support services to help them through this difficult time.

To navigate these tragedies, legal and organisational support is essential, Ms Agius said.

“Each workplace fatality is a heartbreaking and preventable loss of life that sends shockwaves through our community,” she said.