On 16 November 2020, in the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court, the defendant, a not-for-profit registered charity, pleaded guilty to one offence contrary to section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘Act’), for failing to comply with their duty under section 19(2) of the Act. Magistrate Melanie Ho fined the defendant $300,000 and did not record a conviction.

On 13 November 2020, the defendant was sentenced in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court for failing to prepare or keep a hazardous chemical register in contravention of section 346(1) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation (‘Regulation’). Magistrate Brian Kilmartin convicted and fined the defendant $3,600. The conviction was not recorded.

An entertainment events company and its sole director held respective duties under ss 19(2) and 27(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’). On 10 November 2020, both defendants pleaded guilty and were sentenced in the Brisbane Magistrates Court for breaching s 32 of the Act, having failed to comply with their work health and safety duties.

A demolition and asbestos removal business was charged with one offence contrary to s 200(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the ‘Act’) for failing to comply with a non-disturbance notice without reasonable excuse. It was also charged with one offence contrry to s 43(1) of the Act, for directing or allowing a worker to remove over 10m² of asbestos containing material when it did not hold an asbestos removal license, in breach of s 487(2) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (the ‘Regulation’). On 9 November 2020, the defendant company pleaded guilty to both offences and was sentenced in the Southport Magistrates Court.

On 4 November 2020, an electrician was sentenced in the Townsville Magistrates Court for multiple breaches of the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (‘ES Act’). Mr Steven Anderson pleaded guilty to one offence against section 56(1) of the ES Act for carrying out a business or undertaking that included performance of electrical work without holding an electrical contractor’s licence, and to four offences against section 55(1) of the ES Act for conducting work on several occasions without holding an electrical work licence.

On 2 November 2020, Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the Brisbane Magistrates Court for breaching s 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011( (the ‘Act’). The company failed to comply with its work health and safety duty under s 19(1) of the Act.

A diesel mechanical repair and sugar cane harvesting business was charged with one offence pursuant to s 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the ‘Act’) for breaching the duty it held under s 19(1) of the Act. On 2 November 2020, the defendant company pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the Cairns Magistrates Court.

On 2 November 2020, the defendant, an incorporated not-for-profit association, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court for failing to comply with its primary work health and safety duty held under section 19(2) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘Act’). The failure exposed an individual to a risk of death or serious injury in contravention of section 32 of the Act. Magistrate Trevor Morgan imposed a fine of $100,000 and no conviction was recorded.

On 15 October 2020, the defendant company pleaded guilty in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court to an offence against section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’) for failing to comply with its duty to ensure the safety of its workers pursuant to section 19(1) of the Act. The company’s failure to provide adequate supervision exposed a worker to a risk of death or serious injury. Magistrate Clare Kelly convicted and fined the defendant $40,000. The conviction was not recorded.

On 9 October 2020, the defendant company pleaded guilty in the Wynnum Magistrates Court for failure to comply with its work health and safety duty under section 19(1) Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’), that exposed a worker to a risk of death or serious injury in contravention of section 32 of the Act. The company failed to provide a safe system of work, including the safe use of plant and provision of information, training or supervision. Magistrate Zachary Sarra fined the company $60,000. No conviction was recorded.