Released 04/04/2018
The ACT Work Safety Commissioner Greg Jones today advised that he has accepted an enforceable undertaking with a range of actions, including a financial commitment of $300,000, from local company Glass Tech Australia Pty Ltd following an incident at their Hume workplace in May 2017.
The acceptance of the undertaking follows a detailed investigation by WorkSafe ACT into an incident where a delivery driver was seriously injured during the unloading of glass panels at the Glass Tech worksite.
“The delivery driver sustained significant and life changing injuries when he was struck by a falling glass panel during the unloading activity,” Mr Jones said.
The WorkSafe ACT investigation revealed an alleged contravention of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Following this investigation Glass Tech submitted a proposal for an enforceable undertaking.
An enforceable undertaking is a legally binding agreement which Glass Tech must comply with. If Glass Tech does not comply with the enforceable undertaking the regulator can seek court enforcement, including an additional penalty of up to $250,000.
While the undertaking was accepted in this case as it provides for improved safety outcomes for workers in Glass Tech and the industry more broadly, WorkSafe remains committed to pursuing prosecution action where it is considered appropriate.
The $300,000 obligation includes substantial contributions to improve safety awareness and practices in industry as well as providing broader community benefits.
Specifically, the undertaking includes:
- improvements to safety systems/practices for workers: $164,000
- industry benefits (glass stock and training for CIT students): $70,400
- community benefits, including the donation to Red Cross of a new vehicle, and freezer units to enable the safe transportation of donated breast milk for premature babies: $60,700.
“The injury which occurred on this site was preventable and should not have happened,” Mr Jones said.
“We have already seen improvements to the safety culture at Glass Tech during the development of proposals for this enforceable undertaking. We expect this will continue through WorkSafe ACT’s ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance with the enforceable undertaking.”
- Statement ends -
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