Risky Business: How not providing PPE cost a fabrication company $350K
Duty of Care Failure: A Costly Reminder for PCBUs
At Spring Safety Consultants, we understand the critical importance of creating safe work environments, particularly for young and inexperienced workers. A recent case in Hope Valley demonstrates just how devastating the consequences can be when basic legislative duties are neglected.
Lessons from National Steel
A 16-year-old apprentice suffered serious burns in a workplace incident in July 2021, leading to two surgeries, long-term pain, infection, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The apprentice’s employer, National Steel Workplace Pty Ltd an Australian registered business since 2000, was fined $350,000 for failing to provide a safe work environment and for neglecting to report the injury to WorkSafe, as required by law.
The incident occurred during a welding task, where the young worker’s clothing caught fire. The apprentice had not been provided with essential fire-retardant clothing or a welding apron. Despite having access to a job safety analysis that specified required protective equipment, the company failed to enforce its use.
To make matters worse, the apprentice did not receive proper safety inductions, and his supervisors failed to provide adequate training or supervision. These lapses left the worker vulnerable, ultimately resulting in life-changing injuries.
Key Takeaways for PCBU
This case highlights the legal and ethical responsibilities of employers, especially when employing young and inexperienced workers. The WorkSafe Commissioner, Sally North, emphasised the following points:
Key Takeaway for Parents
As parents, you play a vital role in your child’s journey into the workforce. Young workers often face unique challenges, including workplace bullying, harassment, and physical hazards, yet they may hesitate to speak up due to inexperience or fear of repercussions. Open communication is key—encourage your child to share their experiences and reassure them that their safety and wellbeing should always come first.
Help them understand their rights at work, including the importance of raising concerns about unsafe conditions or inappropriate behavior. By fostering confidence and advocating for their voice to be heard, you can empower your young worker to navigate their workplace safely and responsibly.
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Why This Matters
For businesses, workplace safety is not just a legal requirement—it is a moral obligation. Neglecting safety can lead to severe consequences for workers and significant penalties for employers, as demonstrated in this case.
At Spring Safety Consultants, we partner with organisations to design and implement robust safety systems that protect workers and comply with legal requirements. From safety management systems to comprehensive risk assessments, we help you build a culture where safety is a priority.
How We Can Help
We specialise in assisting businesses in understanding and addressing their workplace risks. Whether you need help with developing policies, conducting risk assessments, or providing training, our team of experts is here to support you.
Visit www.springsafety.com.au
Don’t let safety fall through the cracks—protect your people and your business.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help enhance your workplace safety practices.
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My career goal: Become a Safety Leader who creates a place to work where people feel safe both physically and mentally. "I can't change the human condition, but I can change the condition in which humans work".
2 个月Thanks so much for sharing! This makes me feel for the company and their safety culture they have. And I don't mean this in a negative way, without talking to the business and having that understanding, you don't know where they were at, what they know, what they are trying to achieve back in the state where they had this incident. My heart does bleed for the young apprentice with that incident being his introduction to safety in the workplace. I suppose my point being, behind every big incident like this is a safety culture that feeds into it that starts at the senior level of the organisation and ripples down into the people on the ground.