On 8 October 2021, Cordwell Resources Pty Ltd and its director Brian Cordwell were sentenced in the Maroochydore District Court for breaching section 31 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’) having failed to comply with their respective health and safety duties pursuant to sections 19 and 27 of the Act. Judge Long SC convicted and fined the corporate defendant of $500,000 and convicted and sentenced the director to six months imprisonment, wholly suspended for a period of 12 months.

On 30 September 2021, a construction company 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 their primary health and safety duty under section 19(1) of the Act. The sole director of the company was also sentenced for a section 32 breach of the Act, having failed to comply with his section 27(1) obligation as an officer to ensure that the company complied with its duties under the Act.

On 28 September, two members of an unincorporated family partnership were sentenced in the Richlands Magistrates Court for breaching section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’), having failed to comply with their duty under section 21 of the Act to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that plant used as part of the business was without risks to the health and safety of any person. Additionally, one of the partners was also sentenced for a breach section 39 of the Act, having failed to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, that the site where the incident occurred was not disturbed until an inspector arrived.

On 23 September 2021, a food and beverage wholesaler 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 its primary health and safety duty under section 19(1) of the Act.

On 17 September 2021, an air-conditioning mechanic 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 his primary health and safety duty pursuant to section 19(1) of the Act.

On 13 September 2021, a residential care worker was sentenced in the Bundaberg 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 pursuant to section 28 of the Act.

On 7 September 2021, a roofing company was sentenced in the Townsville 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 7 September 2021, a sole trader was sentenced in the Townsville Magistrates Court for breaching section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’), having failed to comply with his primary health and safety duty under section 19(1) of the Act. Acting Magistrate Peter Smid fined the defendant $15,000 and did not record a conviction.

On 30 August 2021, a not-for-profit incorporated entity was sentenced in the Gladstone Magistrates Court for breaching section 43(2) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’) by carrying out unlicensed asbestos removal work contrary to section 487(2) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (‘the Regulation’) and for breaching section 446(3) of the Regulation by directing or allowing a worker to use a broom and electric floor sander in an uncontrolled manner. Acting Magistrate Scoines imposed a fine of $4,000 for both offences.

On 20 August 2021, a truck driver was sentenced in the Cairns Magistrates Court for breaching section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’), having failed to comply with his duty as a worker to take reasonable care that his acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons under section 28(b) of the Act. Magistrate McLennan imposed a $3,000 fine and did not record a conviction.