More inspectors and new OHS infringement notices to be introduced in Victoria

Sam Jackson from Sparke Helmore Lawyers advises the Victorian 2019–20 State Budget will involve an increase the number of WorkSafe inspectors and issue of infringement notices for a range of occupational health and safety offences.

Based on experience in other jurisdictions, Mr Jackson expects infringement notices to be issued by WorkSafe in some circumstances currently determined to be appropriate to issue prosecution proceedings — for example, the failure of a person to have a high risk safety strategy in place for public-facing staff (in the absence of any incident). Infringement notices may also be issued by inspectors in addition to, or instead of, issuing an improvement notice.

Further information about the legislative changes can be found under the Victoria OHS Act through Austlii - http://www.austlii.edu.au/