Victorian employers who put the health and safety of their workers at risk are to face on-the-spot fines as WorkSafe Victoria steps up to stamp out bad behaviour and help ensure every worker gets home safely.
Minister for Workplace Safety, Ingrid Stitt said the introduction of on-the-spot fines would provide an immediate alternative to prosecution for those employers who did the wrong thing.
“From 20 July 2021, WorkSafe inspectors will be able to issue infringement notices with penalties of up to $1,817.40 for certain offences, such as working without a required licence, registration, qualification, experience or supervision, or the use of equipment or substances that are not licensed or registered,” Ms Stitt said.
“Infringements can also be applied to individuals or businesses failing to meet duties relating to the removal and storage of asbestos and failing to keep required records,” she said.
“The infringement notice scheme will strengthen WorkSafe’s compliance and enforcement capability and act as an additional deterrent for employers who are not taking the safety of their workers seriously.”
Ms Stitt said WorkSafe and its inspectors and investigators would continue to provide guidance and information; issue improvement, non-disturbance, and prohibition notices; and prosecute safety breaches where appropriate.
The Minister said the obligations of employers wouldn’t change under the infringement notice scheme.
“Duty holders must continue to do everything that is reasonably practicable to provide a workplace that is free from risks to health and safety,” she said.
Ms Stitt said the fines would vary depending on the nature of the offence, ranging from $363.48 for an individual to between $1,090.44 and $1,817.40 for a corporation.
