On 20 January 2022, a handyman was sentenced in the Brisbane Magistrates Court for multiple breaches of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’) and the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (‘the Regulation’). The defendant breached section 43(2) of the Act by removing more than 10sqm of asbestos containing materials without holding a license authorising him to do so, as required by the Regulation. Additionally, the defendant was charged with contraventions of the Regulation for failing to ensure the safe containment and removal of asbestos waste, and for using implements on asbestos in an uncontrolled manner causing airborne asbestos to be released into the atmosphere.

On 5 January 2022, Saratoga Holdings Pty Ltd was sentenced in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court for numerous breaches of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’). The defendant was convicted of three offences against section 32 of the Act, having failed to comply with its primary health and safety duty in each instance. The defendant was also convicted of an offence against section 38 of the Act for failing to report a notifiable incident to the Regulator.

On 13 December 2021, a crane company was sentenced in the Southport Magistrates Court for four breaches of section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’), having failed to comply with its primary health and safety duties under sections 19(1) and (2) of the Act.

The defendant company operated a business supplying cranes to various construction sites in South East Queensland. The company had been contracted to supply tower cranes to two high-rise construction sites on the Gold Coast (‘Site 1’ and ‘Site 2’).

On 10 December 2021, a manufacturing company was sentenced in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court for breaching section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’), having failed to comply with its primary health and safety duty under section 19(1) of the Act. Magistrate Woodford imposed a $100,000 fine and did not record a conviction.

On 8 December 2021, a meat processing company and its director were sentenced in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court for breaching section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’) having failed to comply with their respective health and safety duties under sections 21 and 27 of the Act. Acting Magistrate Stark fined the company $85,000 and the director $15,000.

On 7 December 2021, a quarrying company was sentenced in the Toowoomba Industrial Magistrates Court for breaching section 31 of the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999, having failed to comply with its duty as an operator for a mine pursuant to section 38 of the Act to ensure the risk to workers while at the mine was at an acceptable level.

On 25 November 2021, a carpenter was sentenced in the Brisbane Magistrates Court for breaching section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’), having failed to comply with his health and safety duty as a worker under section 28 of the Act. Acting Magistrate Patrick Murphy convicted and fined the defendant $5,000.

On 12 November 2021, a harvesting company was sentenced in the Dalby Magistrates Court for breaching section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’), having failed to comply with its primary health and safety duty under section 19(1) of the Act.

On 8 November 2021, a crane operator was sentenced in the Southport Magistrates Court with a breach of section 32 of the 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. Magistrate Joan White convicted and fined the defendant $6,500. The conviction was not recorded.

On 28 October 2021 a building repair and rectification company was sentenced in the Gympie Magistrates Court for breaching section 33 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’), having failed to comply with their health and safety duty pursuant to section 19(1) of the Act. Magistrate Callaghan imposed a $20,000 on the defendant company and did not record a conviction.