Industrial Manslaughter laws in NSW a wakeup call to employers

Slater and Gordon Lawyers has welcomed the NSW Government’s introduction of tough new laws that will result in serious consequences for employers if a staff member dies at work.

The Minns Labor Government last week announced that it is introducing new industrial manslaughter laws. Included would be the introduction of fines of up to $20 million and a 25-year jail term as part of a broader shake-up of NSW workplace safety laws.

The law firm has commended the move and have said it sends the strong message to employers that workers lives are irreplaceable.

Slater and Gordon Lawyer in Workers’ Compensation Shweta Dey said that this will be an essential measure in ensuring employers are held to account for putting workers lives at risk.

“It’s about drawing a line in the sand when it comes to employers not taking responsibility for, and valuing, the lives of their workers.

“By enshrining this into law it puts employers on notice that at-fault employers will not be tolerated in this state.

“As a workplace safety lawyer who has acted for individuals who have been injured in the workplace, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact of workplace injuries in preventable circumstances.

“Every worker deserves to go home safely. A workplace dodging their responsibility if a tragedy occurs and people lose their loved ones, only sends the message that workers’ lives are not valued.

“Anything that can be done to send a clear message to employers that they will not get away with unsafe and deadly workplaces is a win for workers,” said Ms Dey.