WA commences prosecutions in relation to four workplace fatalities

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020, WorkSafe WA has commenced prosecution proceedings against six companies in relation to four workplace incidents that occurred in the state in July and August 2024. All four incidents involved fatalities and are before the courts in September.

Listed for first mention in the Fremantle Magistrates Court on 7 September 2026 involves an auction facility incident in which a member of the public was struck by a tow truck and died. The company has been charged with an offence alleging a failure to comply with a health and safety duty and, by that failure, causing the death of a member of the public.

This will be followed by a matter listed for first mention in the Laverton Magistrates Court on 10 September 2026 that involves an employee delivering caustic soda at the Thunderbox mine who was exposed to a solution containing cyanide and later died. Two companies have been charged with an offence alleging a failure to comply with a health and safety duty that exposed individuals to a risk of death, injury or harm to health.

Then on 14 September, a matter listed for first mention in the Katanning Magistrates Court involves an incident in which a worker fell through a roof and died, with a company having been charged with an offence alleging a failure to comply with a health and safety duty and, by that failure, causing the death of a worker.

Finally, in the Armadale Magistrates Court on 15 September, the matter listed for next mention involves an incident in which a worker died while pruning a tree. A company has been charged with an offence alleging a failure to comply with a health and safety duty and, by that failure, exposing a worker to a risk of death, injury or harm to health. The prosecution does not allege that the alleged contravention caused the worker’s death, WorkSafe WA said.

As the matters are before the courts, WorkSafe WA said it will make no further comment.

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