Taking ‘shortcuts’: Compliance campaigns launched after workplace deaths

A total of 22 workplace deaths in the financial year has spurred SafeWork South Australia compliance campaigns – serving swift consequences for resistant employees.

SafeWork South Australia has launched a compliance campaign ensuring that employers across the state are obligated with workplace law in an attempt to negate the death toll that stands at 22 this financial year.

Agriculture, construction, manufacturing, transport, forestry, and healthcare are set to be the industries targeted by SafeWork, with businesses and employers being urged to follow safety procedures and not “take shortcuts” while ensuring “workers take regular breaks to maintain concentration and reduce fatigue”.

“Fatigue, shortcuts, and poorly maintained plant and equipment are all possible killers, but the associated risks can all be eliminated or appropriately managed through a strong commitment to safety,” said SafeWork SA executive director Glenn Farrell.

“Workplace deaths leave a painful and permanent scar on families, work mates, the community and the business itself.”

“SafeWork SA is pleading with employers, sole traders and those in control of work activities to take their responsibilities seriously and make safety in the workplace their highest priority.”

Consequences for non-compliance have intensified, with businesses facing up to 20 years in prison or fines of up to $18 million if they are found to have caused the death of a worker through reckless or negligent conduct.

Of the 22 fatalities reported, nine involved either being struck or falling from a vehicle. According to SafeWork, there were 13 workplace fatalities in 2023–24, eleven in 2022–23, and 18 in 2021–22, with the highest number of workplace fatalities on record being 24 in 2005–06.

“People are the most valuable asset to any business, and more needs to be done to ensure they are not exposed to harm,” said Farell.

“We’re inspecting work sites more often, and where we find non-compliance, there will be consequences.”

“Businesses have a work health and safety obligation to put the safety of their people first, and we will not hesitate to issue notices or take further action for unsafe practices.”

SafeWork SA claimed it was coming down hard on serious offenders, securing $2.25 million in fines in the previous years.

As previously reported on HR Leader, LH Holding Management, trading as Universal Stone and Marble, copped a $3 million fine after pleading guilty to a single charge of “engaging in negligent conduct”, which constituted a breach of duty owed to another person – tragically leading to a fatality.