Comcare to prosecute Customs over employee injury
Media release
- 06 Aug 2010Australia’s federal workplace safety regulator Comcare today launched federal court proceedings against the Customs and Border Protection Service after an employee slipped and fractured both arms while working at the Adelaide International Airport in December 2008.
It’s alleged that Customs contravened federal workplace safety laws by failing to take all reasonably practicable steps to protect the health and safety at work of its employees.
The proceedings arise from an incident on 17 December 2008 when a Customs employee allegedly slipped on some glue that had been laid on a concrete floor by a contractor engaged by Customs to lay carpet tiles.
The Customs employee sustained fractures to both arms as a result. Comcare understands that at the time of the incident, the construction site was not barricaded and Customs employees had been expected to work around the contractors and their tools.
Comcare Work Health and Safety General Manager Neil Quarmby said all federal employers needed to pause and take stock when building work or renovations were carried out.
“Building improvements and renovations are not business as usual, and a thorough risk assessment is required to make sure that work places are healthy and safe for employees when disruption occurs.”
The matter has been filed today and will be heard at a date yet to be determined by the court.
The maximum penalty for this type of legislative breach by a body corporate is $242,000.
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Email: media@comcare.gov.au
Media release: Comcare to prosecute Customs over employee injury [pdf]