LAKESIDE Packaging has been convicted and fined $100,000 as a result of a
prosecution over their treatment of two Chinese workers on Section 457 visas.
The case was brought to court by
WorkSafe Victoria, and is thought to be Australia’s first prosecution in relation to injuries to workers while in Australia on the 457 visas. According to the authority, it is investigating four other cases involving injuries to people in Victoria on 457s.
The company pleaded guilty to seven workplace health and safety charges after one man’s arm was crushed in an unguarded printing press while the other had both arms broken in separate incidents.
According to the court, the case reinforces the importance of training workers in their own language, as well as the universality of the entitlement to a safe workplace.
The company was convicted on three counts in failing to provide safe plant and systems of work, three count on failing to provide the necessary information, instruction, training and supervision for safe work, and one count for failing to provide information to employees in an appropriate language concerning health and safety at the workplace.
