Heavy industrial company fined $350,000 over serious injuries to worker

A Hope Valley heavy industrial company has been fined $350,000 on two charges (and ordered to pay $5295 in costs) over causing serious injuries to a 16-year-old apprentice and not reporting the injury.

National Steel Workplace Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment and, by that failure, causing serious harm to a worker, and was fined in the Rockingham Magistrates Court yesterday. National Steel also pleaded guilty to failing to notify the Commissioner of that injury.

Dangerous goods safety laws

What legislation applies to dangerous goods?

There are seven pieces of dangerous goods safety legislation relating to the manufacture, storage, possession handling, transport, and use of dangerous goods (both non-explosives and explosives). This includes the operation of major hazard facilities across Western Australia.

Accommodation services: Safety basics

The accommodation services industry can pose health and safety risks for workers and visitors. The work may be physically demanding and carried out under pressure, leading to a higher risk of injuries. Workers also engage with the public which can increase the risk of violence and harassment.

Accommodation services may include:

  • hotels and motels
  • caravan and camping grounds
  • resorts, holiday rentals
  • youth hostels.

Accommodation workplaces include areas where workers interact directly with patrons. For example:

Managing risks in the accommodation and food industry

Risks to both physical and mental health in your workplace must be managed. If you are a PCBU, you must identify, assess and control hazards. The goal is to eliminate risks, and if that’s not possible, you must minimise the risks as much as you can.

Steps to manage risks

Identify hazards

Regularly check the workplace for potential hazards such as hazardous chemicals or manual handling risks.

Assess risk

Determine how likely the risks are and how severe the consequences of those risks.

Work health and safety duties for food delivery platforms and riders

Duties of a food outlet

Food outlets that operate as PCBUs are responsible for the health and safety of their own workers and any delivery riders they engage or interact with. They must also protect customers and others who may be affected by their operations.

Duties of a food delivery platform

If you operate a food delivery platform, you are also considered a PCBU and must therefore ensure the safety of your delivery riders, customers and other people affected by your operations.