Victorian businesses hit with $13m in fines for safety breaches

Victorian businesses were fined a mammoth $13m for safety breaches last year, with more than a third of the costs relating to workplace deaths.

Victorian businesses were fined $13m for safety breaches in 2024. Picture: iStock

Dodgy Victorian businesses forked out more than $13m in fines for safety breaches last year, with more than a third relating to workplace deaths.

Companies in the construction and manufacturing injury were the hardest hit as Victoria’s courts dished out a total of $13.3m in fines and costs for OH&S breaches last year. Of the total fines nearly $5m and 12 prosecutions imposed were related to fatalities on the job.

WorkSafe executive health and safety director Sam Jenkin said businesses who flouted safety laws would be punished.

“Employers who turn a blind eye to health and safety risks in their workplace play a deadly

game that can lead to horrific injuries or loss of life, as well as costly legal consequences,”

Mr Jenkin said.

“The safest workplaces are those where employers proactively engage with workers and

health and safety representatives, where available, to identify and address health and safety

risks by making safety a priority for everyone.

“Duty holders need to have systems and processes in place to identify, assess and respond

to work-related hazards to their physical or mental health – including the risk of violence and

hazards such as bullying or harassment.”

Among the heaviest fined was LH Holding Management which became the first company convicted under the state’s workplace manslaughter laws after the death of 25-year-old subcontractor Michael Tsahrelias who was crushed at a Somerton factory in October 2021.

The company was fined $1.3m in relation to the incident.

Laith Hanna, the sole director and shareholder of the stonemasonry business, also pleaded guilty to a charge of being an officer of a company that committed workplace manslaughter and was sentenced to a two-year community corrections order with 200 hours of community service.

He was also ordered to pay Mr Tsahrelias’ sister $120,000 in compensation.

Laith Hanna and his company LH Holding Management were convicted after the death of 25-year-old Michael Tsahrelias Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Saferoads was also convicted and fined $500,000 after a truck driver was killed by a falling steel barrier at Nar Nar Goon in November 2021.

One of the most common breaches was a “risk of a fall from height”, with this offence costing businesses more than $1.6m in total.

Five businesses were also prosecuted for bullying and harassment matters.

It comes as WorkSafe recorded 178 prosecutions under the Occupational Health and Safety Act — the most ever — in the 2023/24 financial year at a success rate of 89 per cent.

Tragically 50 workers were also killed during this time frame — 12 in the construction industry.