SafeWork SA

In reply to the Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield) (21 September 2018). (Estimates Committee B)

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): I have been advised of the following

1. In 2016-17 SafeWork SA delivered 242 workshops/presentations as part of its education services and 257 during 2017-18.

2. In 2016-17 there were 8,815 proactive workplace visits and 12,525 reactive workplace visits. In 2017-18 there were 9,221 proactive workplace visits and 12,974 reactive workplace visits.

3. In 2016-17 SafeWork SA issued one infringement/expiation notice and zero in 2017-18.

4. In 2016-17 SafeWork SA issued 2,342 improvement notices and in 2017-18 issued 2,427 improvement notices.

5. In 2016-17 SafeWork SA issued 650 prohibition notices and 775 in 2017-18.

6. In 2016-17 SafeWork SA entered into three enforceable undertakings (EUs) and in 2017-18 entered into five EUs.

7. In 2016-17 the figure for the number of potential breaches of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) (WHS Act) that were investigated and referred to the Crown Solicitor's Office was 15 and was four in 2017-18.

8. In 2016-17 of the 15 matters SafeWork SA referred to the Crown Solicitor's Office (CSO), eight resulted in SafeWork SA filing a prosecution, in 2017-18 there was one filing from four referrals.

9.

(a) In 2016-17 there were 11 matters (including EUs) that were filed for prosecution that resulted in a conviction or an order being made by the courts, in 2017-18 there were 13 such matters (including EUs).

(b). In 2016-17 and 2017-18 there were zero unsuccessful prosecutions due to being found not guilty. In 2016-17 there were four matters which SafeWork SA withdrew the application to prosecute and two matters in 2017-18.

10. In 2016-17 there were three matters where SafeWork SA made the decision not to prosecute, but to accept an enforceable undertaking or other remedy as an alternative to a prosecution and in 2017-18 this figure was five.

11. In 2016-17 the total amount of fines ordered by the courts for breaches of the WHS Act was $736,000 and in 2017-18 the fines were $1,500,000.