BOOK NOW

WE'RE IN IT TO WIN IT

Book your consultation

Book Now
Book Now Mobile

This form submission is encrypted and secured to ensure your information remains confidential.

PUBLICATION

A Defective Woodchipper, a Tragedy, and a Record Fine: The High Stakes of Workplace Safety in NSW

In an incident that’s nothing short of harrowing, a tree removal company in New South Wales has faced a record-breaking court-imposed fine of over $2 million following the tragic death of a worker.

Setting the scene on a school ground in Lindfield, Sydney’s north, in September 2019, workers from A1 Arbor Tree Services were busy with routine tree removal tasks. As branches were fed into a woodchipper, a devastating accident occurred. A 40-year-old Fijian national was fatally drawn into the equipment, with catastrophic results.

What makes this incident even more heart-wrenching is the series of oversights that led up to it. Court hearings shed light on the company’s lack of a risk assessment for the woodchipping equipment, which was found to be riddled with defects. But the chain of negligence didn’t stop there. The court also unveiled a concerning lack of supervision for workers and, even more alarming, no proper training provided to them on how to safely operate the machinery.

The company pleaded guilty to failing to comply with its safety obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act. Such grave oversights couldn’t escape the eyes of the NSW District Court. Recognising the extreme foreseeable harm to the worker, Judge Wendy Sue Strathdee delivered the verdict – a landmark fine of $2.025 million, the heftiest for a business in NSW’s history.

Work Health and Safety Minister, Sophie Cotsis, echoed the sentiments of many, labelling the incident as “shocking” and “completely avoidable”. Extending her condolences, she emphasised, “The lives of workers must be priority number one. No excuses, no exceptions.” This landmark conviction, she warned, puts businesses across NSW on stern notice.

As we await any potential appeals from A1 Arbor, one thing becomes undeniably clear: workplace safety isn’t just another checkbox. It’s a mandate, the importance of which has been underscored, albeit tragically, by this incident.

When safety guidelines are skirted, and training becomes an afterthought, the results can be catastrophic. At Jameson Law, we firmly believe in the paramount importance of workplace safety and are always here to guide you through any related legal complexities.

Speak to an Expert Lawyer today
All Laywers - Jameson Law - The best law firm in Sydney
BOOK NOW

WE'RE IN IT TO WIN IT

Book your consultation

Book Now
Book Now Mobile

This form submission is encrypted and secured to ensure your information remains confidential.

What our Clients Say

Related Publications: |

WE'RE IN IT TO WIN IT

Book your consultation

Book Now
Book Now Mobile

This form submission is encrypted and secured to ensure your information remains confidential.

OUR SYDNEY OFFICES

Parramatta CBD - Head Office
jameson Law - Blacktown
jameson Law - Liverpool Office
Jameson Law - Bankstown
Offices-Jameson-Law-Sydney-Best-Law-Firm
nsw_courts - Jameson Law

COURT HOUSES WE FREQUENT

Balmain Local Court

Registry: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm

Bankstown Local Court

Court Operating Hours: 9:30am-4:30pm

Blacktown Local Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 -4:30
Days open: Mon-Fri

Burwood Local Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30
Days open: Mon – Fri

Campbell Local Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30
Days open: Mon – Fri

Central Local Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 1:00 and 2:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30

Downing Local Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 1:00 and 2:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30

Wollongong Local Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 1:00 and 2:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30

Fairfield Local Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 1:00 and 2:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30

Hornsby Local Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 1:00 and 2:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30

Liverpool Local Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 1:00 and 2:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30

Manly Local Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 1:00 and 2:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30

Newtown Local Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 1:00 and 2:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30

Parramatta Local Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 1:00 and 2:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30

Penrith Local Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 1:00 and 2:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30

Sutherland Local Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 1:00 and 2:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30

Waverley Local Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 1:00 and 2:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30

Windsor Local Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 1:00 and 2:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30

Wollongong Local Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 1:00 and 2:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30

Downing Centre District Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30
Days open: Mon – Fri

Parramatta District Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 4:30
Days open: Mon-Fri

Penrith District Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 4:30
Days open: Mon-Fri

Campbelltown District Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 4:30
Days open: Mon – Fri

Liverpool District Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 4:30
Days open: Mon – Fri

Wollongong District Court

Registry Hours: 9:00 – 1:00 and 2:00 – 4:30
Telephone Hours: 8:30 – 4:30

Supreme Court New South Wales

Registry Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Telephone Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Days Open: Monday to Friday

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

Registry Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Telephone Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Days Open: Monday to Friday

Federal Court

Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

High Court

Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Children’s Court of New South Wales

Registry Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Telephone Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Days Open: Monday to Friday

Coroner’s Court New South Wales

Registry Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Telephone Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Days Open: Monday to Friday

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales

Registry Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Telephone Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Days Open: Monday to Friday

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

Registry Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Telephone Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Days Open: Monday to Friday