Summary:
The Bennett family-operated AMB Consolidated faces criminal charges following a contractor’s $750,000 fine for a worker’s serious fall on their private farm near Perth. WorkSafe WA alleges safety failures under WA’s Work Health and Safety Act. This case highlights escalating enforcement against property owners and contractors for worksite violations. It signals regulators’ focus on holding multiple parties accountable for preventable injuries in agriculture/construction sectors.
What This Means for You:
- Review OHS Delegation: Property owners must verify contractor safety systems – don’t assume compliance
- Document Contractor Vetting: Maintain records of safety audits, licenses, and incident response protocols
- Update Fall Protection Plans: Mandate harness systems, edge protection, and rescue kits for elevated work
- Prepare for Joint Liability: WA courts increasingly impose concurrent penalties on clients and contractors
Original Post:
The Bennett family-run AMB Consolidated will face charges over a worker’s fall at a private farm north-east of Perth, an incident which a contractor has been fined $750,000 for.
Extra Information:
- WorkSafe WA’s Primary Duty Guidelines – Clarifies client responsibilities when engaging contractors
- National Fall Prevention Code – Mandatory standards relevant to this prosecution
- WA Contractor Responsibility Framework – Defines legal obligations in property owner-contractor relationships
People Also Ask About:
- Can property owners be fined for contractor accidents? Yes, under WA’s chain of responsibility laws if oversight failures exist.
- What fines apply for serious workplace falls? Corporations face maximum penalties exceeding $3 million per violation.
- Does homeowners’ insurance cover contractor injuries? Typically excludes business activities – specialized OHS policies required.
- How long after incident can charges be filed? WorkSafe WA has 2 years to initiate proceedings for most breaches.
Expert Opinion:
“This prosecution breaks new ground in rural safety enforcement,” notes workplace law specialist Dr. Evan Harris. “Authorities are testing expanded liability theories where property owners effectively function as project managers. Even private farms now face industrial-scale compliance expectations.”
Key Terms:
- Western Australia workplace accident legal liability
- Property owner OHS responsibilities for contractors
- WorkSafe WA fall prevention prosecution cases
- Chain of responsibility law agriculture sector
- WHS Act 2020 Section 19 criminal charges
- Construction fall arrest system compliance penalties
- Work-related injury civil claims compensation WA
ORIGINAL SOURCE:
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