TheTerritory Labor Government has supported, and supported-in-principle, 23 of the27 recommendations from the Best Practice Review of Workplace Health and Safetyin the NT by Independent consultant Tim Lyons.
A six-month review of the Territorys workplace regulator, NT WorkSafe, looked atcurrent policies, procedures and activities, and considered how best practicescan be implemented to support the industry.
TheNT Government will undertake a three-phase implementation plan of the supportedrecommendations, which will include:
- Creatinga new offence of industrial manslaughter with a maximum penalty of lifeimprisonment for an individual or a fine of up to $10M for a body corporate.
- Formalising anInvestigations Unit within the NT WorkSafe Inspectorate to focus oninvestigating serious incidents and fatalities.
- Working with the Work Healthand Safety Advisory Council and Workers Rehabilitation and CompensationAdvisory Council to improve the support offered to families of victims of workplaceincidents.
- Strengthening approvalprocesses and communication around enforceable undertakings.
- Completing a review of NTWorkSafes decision making and development processes around the publication ofSafety Alerts following serious incidents.
TheNT Governments full response to the recommendations is attached. Thethree-phase implementation process ranges from Phase 1 Immediate action -within 1 year, Phase 2 medium - within 3 years, and Phase 3 longer term -within 5 years.
MrLyons has previously completed a similar review of the Queensland regulator andworked closely with industry while compiling his NT WorkSafe review.
Toview the Lyons report, visit: https://justice.nt.gov.au/attorney-general-and-justice/law-reform-reviews/published-reports-outcomes-and-historical-consultations/outcomes-of-consultation-and-reviews-reports
Quotesfrom the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Natasha Fyles:
Territoriansdeserve to be safe when they are at work and implementation of therecommendations will help us provide the best possible Territory regulator, toprotect Territory workers while supporting Territory businesses.
Weare introducing these changes to ensure we create the right balance betweenenforcement, prosecution, education and awareness.
