Preparing for the worst - death at work

An Australian Exhibitions and Conferences product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jun 21, 2006

Learn more about protecting and preparing a company for this worst-case scenario at the Queensland Safety Forum

Recently, Australians were riveted to their televisions as they watched two miners in Beaconsfield, Tasmania, who had been trapped for 14 days, walk away from the disaster.

A community celebrated.

Then, hours later, a community mourned as the funeral for the third miner, who died in the cave-in, took place.

The country was reminded that, sadly, death and serious incidents at work are a reality.

And they watched as the community and mining company struggled to deal with the situation.

At the Queensland Safety Forum, Jamie Robinson and James Yeatman, partners of Harmers, Workplace Lawyers, will address the need for companies to have a sensitive and intelligent plan in place for dealing with death and serious incidents at work.

The pair will present their paper on June 23 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Mr Robinson and Mr Yeatman will discuss the key legal, practical and moral issues which may confront an employer when a workplace incident occurs.

There is no doubt that prevention of injury or incident is the most favourable scenario for everyone involved.

During the seminar, the speakers will discuss prevention and risk management, but also planning for the best possible reaction should an incident occur.

Making sure a plan is in place before an incident occurs will have a profound effect on the outcome of any recovery or prosecution.

Mr Robinson and Mr Yeatman will bring to light difficult questions to which every company should have answers, including:.

* Who in the company is responsible for notifying the next of kin should a death occur? What is the company message?.

* Who in the company should be notified of the incident?.

* Who is required to notify authorities?.

* Who will speak to police or industrial inspectors and what is the company's obligation to assist in these investigations?.

Workplace health and safety laws impose a number of obligations on persons involved in a workplace incident and though it is imperative for companies to know their responsibilities, they must also be aware of their rights.

At the Queensland Safety Forum, participants will learn about the powers of inspectors under various workplace health and safety laws, including recognising whether or not inspectors have correct identification and authorisation to conduct an inspection.

Mr Robinson and Mr Yeatman will also discuss possible scenarios involving authorities with which companies should be familiar so they can best protect themselves while obeying the law.

Given the potentially serious consequences of prosecution under workplace health and safety legislation, it is essential that companies be properly prepared to handle and manage a serious incident or death at the workplace.

Learn more about protecting and preparing a company for this worst-case scenario at the Queensland Safety Forum.

The inaugural Queensland Safety Show and Queensland Safety Forum will run from Wednesday 21 to Friday 23 June 2006 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.