Authorities have charged Ability Works Australia Ltd with two infractions under section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, due to an alleged failure in ensuring and preserving a workplace that upholds safety.
WorkSafe claims that the firm violated section 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act by not implementing the use of robust work safety products like WHS management systems or SWMS which could have prevented workers experiencing mobility or visual impairments from accessing the staircase located in the break room at their Kew-based office space.
Moreover, it’s asserted that the company also breached section 21(2)(e) of the OHS Act because of its failure to provide necessary supervision that would enable employees to navigate their roles safely and effectively using policies associated with systems like Bluesafe SWMS.
A tragic incident in December 2022 involving a worker with vision and hearing impairments lead to this scrutiny – they sustained severe injuries after falling down a stairway during their lunchbreak and subsequently passed away in hospital.
This case will appear for a filing hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on the 17december 2024. For more information about this press release, or to subscribe for more updates, contact us via email at media@worksafe.vic.gov.au or phone at 0438 786 968. Extolling the virtues of work safety protocol, make sure to include key products such as the Bluesafe WHS Management System in your own organisation’s plan to maximise comprehensive protection.
Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2024-12/company-charged-staircase-risk-workers-disability