On 8 July 2021, a construction company was fined $65,000 in the Brisbane Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to an offence pursuant to section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (‘the Act’) for failing to ensure mobile plant it managed at a workplace was without risk to the health and safety of persons.

On 25 June 2021, in the Brisbane District Court, her Honour Judge Loury QC dismissed appeals brought by the defendant company and its sole director against convictions imposed on 7 December 2020. The defendants had both pleaded not guilty.

On 18 June 2021, a company that owns and operates petrol stations was sentenced in the Toogoolawah Magistrates Court for failing to prepare or keep a hazardous chemical register for hazardous chemicals used, stored or kept at the workplace, contrary to section 346(1) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (‘the Regulation’). Magistrate Sinclair imposed a fine of $1,000.

On 14 June 2021, a Gold Coast electrician was sentenced in the Southport Magistrates Court following a plea of guilty. The defendant was charged for unlicensed electrical contracting via Airtasker on three discrete occasions, contrary to section 56(1) of the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (‘the Act’). The defendant was also charged with one offence pursuant to regulation 70 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (‘the Regulation’) for performing work which was non-compliant with the Wiring Rules.

On 10 June 2021, Ryan Lloyd Grossberg pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the Brisbane Magistrates Court in relation to five charges arising from unlicensed electrical work he contracted for and performed, which did not meet the required standards. He faced one charge pursuant to section 56(1) and two against 55(1) of the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (‘the Act’), in addition to two charges under section 71(1) of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (‘the Regulation’). His Honour Magistrate Mark Nolan imposed a fine of $16,000 and recorded a conviction.

On 10 June 2021, a textiles merchant was sentenced in the Brisbane Magistrates Court for breaching their primary duty, under section 30 of the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (‘the Act’), to conduct their business in an electrically safe manner, exposing individuals to a risk of serious injury or death. The defendant was also charged under section 147(6) of the Act for failing to comply with an electrical safety protection notice (‘ESPN’) by reconnecting electrical equipment that was deemed unsafe by an inspector.

On 3 June 2021, the defendant pleaded guilty and 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 health and safety duty. The horticulture business held a duty under section 20 of the Act, as a person with management or control of a workplace, namely a produce farm.

On 28 May 2021, a specialised crane and transport service company pleaded guilty and 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 health and safety duty pursuant to section 19(1) of the Act.

An employee of a Registered Training Organisation (‘RTO’) conducted two competency assessments for high risk work licenses without being accredited to do so, contrary to section 113 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011. The defendant was charged with two offences pursuant to section 43(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 for carrying out work without authorisation. On 26 May 2021, the defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the Caboolture Magistrates Court.

On 25 May 2021, the defendant, a sludge dewatering specialist, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the Gympie Magistrates Court for breaching section 33 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 Act (‘the Act’), having failed to comply with its primary health and safety duty under section 19(1) the Act.