On 18 March 2021, a sand mine worker pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court for failing to ensure his acts did not risk the health and safety of other persons, which exposed others to a risk of death or serious injury contrary to section 32 Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘WHS Act’). Magistrate McLaughlin imposed a fine of $7,500 and no conviction was recorded.

On 8 March 2021, following a hearing in the Southport Magistrates Court, a Gold Coast-based jumping castle rental company was found guilty of an offence against section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the ‘Act’). The prosecution alleged the company, which pleaded not guilty, failed to meet its primary safety duty under section 19(1) of the Act.

On 25 February 2021, the defendant company and two individuals pleaded guilty in the Emerald Industrial Magistrates Court to breaches of safety and health obligations under the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999. The offending resulted in the death of a 21-year-old worker. Magistrate Robert Walker convicted and fined all three defendants for offences against section 31 of the Act. The defendant company was fined $180,000, the site senior executive $45,000, and a supervisor $10,000. The court ordered the convictions not be recorded.

On 12 February 2021, a Central Queensland abattoir pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court for breaching section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the ‘Act’), having failed to meet its duty under section 19(1) of the Act. The defendant company was convicted and fined $75,000. No conviction was recorded.

On 2 February 2021, the defendant company entered a guilty plea and was sentenced in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court for breaching section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the ‘Act’), having failed to meet its duty under section 21 of the Act to ensure plant at a workplace, over which it had management and control, was without risks to the health and safety of any person.

On 29 January 2021, the defendant company pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the Brisbane Magistrates Court for breaching s 699 of the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004, having failed to discharge an obligation imposed under the safety management system for the operating plant. The defendant failed to take all reasonable steps to ensure no person or property was exposed to more than an acceptable level of risk. The defendant was convicted and fined $60,000. A conviction was not recorded.

On 11 December 2020, a manufacturing company was sentenced in the Southport Magistrates Court for an offence against section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘Act’), for failing to comply with their duty under section 19(1) of the Act. Magistrate Grace Kahlert convicted and fined the defendant $50,000.

A company conducting a business in remediation works of water and storm damaged residences was charged under s 43(2) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the ‘Act’) and ss 419(1) and 446(3) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (the ‘Regulation’), for allowing workers to carry out work involving asbestos whilst the defendant company was not a licensed asbestos removal contractor. The defendant pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced on 7 December 2020 in the Brisbane Magistrates Court. Magistrate Tina Previtera imposed a global fine of $6,000.

On 4 December 2020, the defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the Brisbane Magistrates Court for an offence against section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’). The prosecution alleged the company failed to comply with their health and safety duty under section 21 of the Act. Magistrate Colin Strofield imposed a fine of $30,000 and no conviction was recorded.

On 17 November 2020, the defendant company pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the Redcliffe Magistrates Court for failing to comply with its primary health and safety duty held pursuant to section 19(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the Act) to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health and safety of its workers, in contravention of section 33 of the Act. Magistrate Mark Bucknall convicted and fined the defendant $6,000. The conviction was not recorded.