The Victorian Government’s Workplace Manslaughter Implementation Taskforce has held its inaugural meeting to discuss new laws to improve worker safety.
The taskforce was announced earlier in March and is part of the State Government’s plan to develop legislation to make workplace manslaughter a criminal offence.
It is made up of members and representatives from business, unions, industry and victim’s families and supported by a Workplace Fatalities and Serious Incidents Reference Group.
Member for Sydenham Natalie Hutchins leads the taskforce, which aims to ensure that those who have lost loved ones in workplace accidents can contribute to the reforms.
A Legal Advisory Group made up of legal sector stakeholders will provide advice on the proposed new offence.
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As many as 30 people are killed on the job in Victoria per year, and there are already eight families who have been affected by workplace safety incidents already in 2019.
Employers face possible fines of almost $16 million, with individuals responsible for negligently causing death potential facing up to 20 years in jail under the new laws.
The Victorian Government will give WorkSafe Victoria the power and resources to ensure non-compliant employers can be prosecuted.
“The views of the taskforce will be critical in shaping new laws that will act as a strong deterrent – ensuring that employers take workplace safety seriously,” Hutchins said.
Victorian Minister for Workplace Safety Jill Hennessy said the task force meeting was a vital step forward in making Victoria safer.
“Our proposed changes will not only hold employers to account, it will also give heartbroken families the justice they deserve,” she said.