Articles and insights
Lessons, guidance and practical observations about WHS, SWMS, pre-starts, prosecutions, audits and safer systems of work.
Prosecution Lessons
6 November 2026 · Practical Safety Advisory
A worker was left paraplegic after a tree branch struck the ladder he was standing on. WorkSafe Victoria says the employer failed to arrange a safe system for the task, including suitable expertise, access equipment and a SWMS.
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Prosecution Lessons
29 October 2026 · Practical Safety Advisory
A Queensland company was fined $80,000 after shed construction near an active overhead powerline exposed workers to serious electrical risk. The later injury to a roofer highlights why managers must verify isolation and plan work around powerlines.
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Prosecution Lessons
29 October 2026 · Practical Safety Advisory
A worker was seriously injured clearing a recurring pallet jam on a live conveyor. The court’s decision also considered earlier safety convictions, prior warnings about the same task and the scale of the national operation.
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Prosecution Lessons
25 October 2026 · Practical Safety Advisory
A Queensland employer was fined $375,000 after a worker died and another was injured while loading cattle onto a double-deck trailer. The regulator’s summary highlights failures in trailer inspections, safe work procedures and worker training.
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Prosecution Lessons
16 October 2026 · Practical Safety Advisory
A Queensland company was fined $90,000 after a child fell from an indoor climbing wall. The case highlights practical checks for supervision, access controls and equipment-use instructions.
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Prosecution Lessons
15 October 2026 · Practical Safety Advisory
A routine trailer move from the road to a driveway ended in the death of an 18-year-old worker. The court imposed $80,000 in fines after finding the defendant failed to attach, or ensure attachment of, the trailer’s safety chains.
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Prosecution Lessons
12 October 2026 · Practical Safety Advisory
A Queensland horse-riding business faced court orders after a young volunteer was seriously injured when an unsupervised horse became spooked. The case highlights the need to assess foreseeable fall risks and put effective controls in place.
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Prosecution Lessons
9 October 2026 · Practical Safety Advisory
A company that connected subcontractors with small jobs was fined $90,000 after a contractor fell 6.74 metres through a skylight. The case highlights the need to assess work, verify competency and put effective fall controls in place.
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Prosecution Lessons
25 September 2026 · Practical Safety Advisory
A restoration company was fined $80,000 after a worker fell 3.2 metres from a mezzanine. The case highlights the need to assess fall risks, arrange edge protection and stop work until controls are in place.
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Prosecution Lessons
25 September 2026 · Practical Safety Advisory
A Queensland pool operator was fined $575,000 after a court found that supervision arrangements did not adequately manage foreseeable drowning risks. The decision is subject to appeal.
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Prosecution Lessons
25 September 2026 · Practical Safety Advisory
A Queensland truck dealership employer was fined $400,000 after a worker died in an explosion during drum de-rimming work. The prosecution highlights the need for formal risk assessments, safe work procedures, chemical controls, training and supervision.
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Prosecution Lessons
24 September 2026 · Practical Safety Advisory
A New South Wales forklift injury prosecution resulted in a $240,000 fine for a company, a $9,600 fine for its director and a publicity order. The matter highlights the need to manage interactions between pedestrians and mobile plant.
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Prosecution Lessons
23 September 2026 · Practical Safety Advisory
A Queensland construction company was fined $400,000 after a 16-year-old volunteer worker was fatally run over by an unmanned road roller. The case highlights the need for authorisation, training, plant safeguards and active supervision.
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Prosecution Lessons
14 August 2026 · Practical Safety Advisory
A visit or investigation by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland can be confronting, particularly after a serious incident. Understanding what inspectors can do, what they may ask for, and how your business should respond can make the process more manageable and help ensure important evidence and information are properly preserved.
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Prosecution Lessons
30 May 2026 · Practical Safety Advisory
A review of workplace prosecutions across Australia reveals the same safety failures appearing time and again. Learn the five most common mistakes and how to avoid becoming the next prosecution case study.
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