On 22 December 2023, Magistrate Shane Elliott delivered a decision to impose a fine of $70,000 plus professional and court costs of $1599.70 on a defendant after it pleaded guilty to one category 2 offence against section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

On 18 December 2023, a company engaged in the business of manufacturing and supplying bakery products was sentenced in the Townsville Magistrates Court for breaching section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’). The company pleaded guilty to failing to comply with its primary duty to ensure workers’ health and safety, thereby exposing them to the risk of death or serious injury. The charged period was over almost 18 months.

On 15 December 2023 BNM AHMAD GROUP PTY LTD was convicted in absentia of 2 ‘Category 3’ offences contrary to s.33 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the WHS Act’), in addition to 2 offences that it carried out work at a workplace for which an authorisation is required by the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (‘the WHS Regulation’), contrary to section 43(1) of the WHS Act.

On 14 December 2023, a person conducting a general handyman business (‘the first defendant’) and a worker (‘the second defendant’) were sentenced in the Holland Park Magistrates Court for multiple offences under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’). The first defendant was sentenced in relation to three offences under the Act, namely one offence pursuant to sections 19(1) and 32 of the Act, one offence pursuant to sections 19(1) and 33 of the Act, and one offence pursuant to sections 19(2) and 33 of the Act. The second defendant was sentenced in relation to two offences under the Act, namely one offence pursuant to sections 28(b) and 32 of the Act, and one offence pursuant to sections 28(b) and 33 of the Act. A fine of $5,000, community service, and two court ordered undertakings with recognisance totaling $40,000 were imposed.

On 12 December 2023, a worker was sentenced in the Caloundra Magistrates Court for breaching section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’). The defendant pleaded guilty to failing to comply with his primary health and safety duty, thereby exposing workers to the risk of death or serious injury.

On 11 December 2023, the defendant pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court, to a category 2 offence contrary to section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) (WHS Act). The defendant held a health and safety duty pursuant to section 19(1) to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers. The defendant failed to discharge that duty and exposed workers to the risk of death or serious injury.

On 20 October 2023, a company was sentenced in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court for breaching section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’). The defendant pleaded guilty to failing to comply with its primary health and safety duty, thereby exposing workers to the risk of death or serious injury.

On 1 December 2023, a company involved in the oilseed and grain industry and its director were sentenced in the Oakey Magistrates Court. Each defendant was sentenced in relation to a breach of section 332of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’). The company failed to comply with its primary health and safety duty pursuant to section 19(1) of the Act and was fined $50,000. The director failed to comply with his duty pursuant to section 27 of the Act and was fined $10,000.

On 17 November 2023, a facilities manager of a commercial high-rise building in Brisbane’s CBD was sentenced in the Brisbane Magistrates Court for breaching section 32 of Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’), having failed to comply with his health and safety duty as a worker, pursuant to section 28 of the Act.

On 15 November 2023, a company which provided piling services to solar farms was sentenced in the Dalby Magistrates Court for failing to comply with a health and safety duty, and in doing so, exposing workers to a risk of death or serious injury.