What is the real cost of Work Health and Safety Failures?

(Taken from SAFE WORK SA prosecutions list https://www. safework.sa.gov.au/enforcement/prosecutions to illistrate the importance of training young staff, adequate guarding and safe systems of work)

Finger amputations lead to $180K fine for trailer company

Glenn Farrell v LC Investing Pty Ltd/As Basic Trailers 27/03/2023

An Adelaide trailer manufacturer has been fined $180,000 after a young worker lost five fingers in only his second week in the job.

The 18-year-old suffered partial finger amputations to both index and middle fingers and to his left ring finger while working with an inadequately guarded guillotine in November 2020.

His Pooraka-based employer LC Investing, trading as Basic Trailers, was fined $180,000 in the South Australian Employment Tribunal last week following a SafeWork SA investigation.

His Honour Deputy President Stephen Lieschke initially imposed a $300,000 fine, before applying a 40 per cent reduction as a result of contrition and an early guilty plea.

Basic Trailers pleaded guilty to the guarding offence under Section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.

Protect your assets if leasing, renting, or hiring out goods

A PPSR registration lets others know that you are claiming a security interest in the goods when you are selling on retention of title terms or when hiring, renting or leasing out goods for more than two years.

This is particularly helpful for businesses and sole traders in areas such as construction who frequently sell, lease or hire out plant and machinery, either separately or as contracts of works.

With a valid registration, you are in the best position to get your goods, or their value back, if your customer doesn’t pay or goes out of business. + A valid registration on the PPSR may also put you ahead of other creditors should your customer default or go broke.

Remember: A retention of title clause (indicating that title remains with you until goods are paid for in full) in your contract or invoice no longer protects you on its own. Make sure you back up your contracts by registering your interest on the PPSR.

For more information www.ppsr.gov.au/education-hub/ppsrand-your-business