WorkSafe file charges in court against building authority

The Victorian Building Authority allegedly refused to transfer a building inspector to a different supervisor before their death.

WorkSafe Victoria has laid two charges against the Victorian Building Authority after a building inspector took their own life.

A building authority is yet to plead to charges of recklessly engaging in a conduct that prompted a building inspector to take their own life

The case of Victorian Building Authority (VBA) was called in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday when the prosecuting agency, WorkSafe Victoria, asked for an adjournment.

VBA is facing one charge under the Occupational Health and Safety Act for recklessly engaging in conduct that placed another person at a workplace in danger of serious injury.

WorkSafe is alleging the regulator refused to transfer the inspector to a different supervisor and continued to pursue performance and redundancy processes while aware that this conduct may have placed the inspector at risk of psychological injury.

The VBA also faces a second charge for failing to provide or maintain a safe and risk-free workplace.

Parties will return to court on April 4 for a further committal mention.