By Francisco Silva -
The NSW Government has confirmed the launch of a new unit within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to focus solely on industrial manslaughter.
Fully funded ($6.9 million) until 2028-29, the Industrial Manslaughter Unit will include a senior solicitor, two additional solicitors and a witness assistance officer. It will enable the ODPP to prosecute individuals and corporations for gross health and safety negligence that causes the death of an individual.
“On average, one person dies a week at work in NSW,” Premier Chris Minns said. “These statistics are unacceptable.Everyone who goes to work should expect to come home safely.
“That’s why the NSW Government is giving the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions the resources to go after individuals and businesses who put workers safety at risk.
In 2024, New South Wales introduced toughest penalties for industrial manslaughter, including up to 25 years of jail for an individual, and up to $20 million in fines for a business, in cases of industrial manslaughter. That’s up from ten years’ imprisonment for an individual, or a $11.1 million penalty for businesses.
The new specialist unit, and tougher penalties, are expected to deter unsafe workplace practices and save lives.
“The offence of industrial manslaughter is the most serious breach of work health and safety laws and will apply where gross negligence has caused the death of a person in a workplace,” said Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis. “Any workplace is a tragedy an in cases where a person with a work health and safety duty has been careless or irresponsible, the must be held accountable.”
