Occupational Health and Safety Act review

ON November 14 the Laing report on the review of the Occupational Health & Safety Act was presented to the Western Australian Government.

This is an enormous report comprising more than 300 pages and making 107 recommendations – a number of which are quite controversial.

The Government is reviewing the report’s recommendations and initial indications are that it is keen to implement most of them.

The most controversial recommendation is the creation of a crime of "industrial manslaughter" for directors of companies whose gross negligence results in the death of employees in the workplace.

The other major recommendation is for people other than Government inspectors to have the authority to issue improvement notices to remedy any unsafe workplace.

The recommendations will have significant implications, not only for employers, but also for the owners of property.

Peter Beekink, partner

9288 6751