Charges laid over Aboriginal elder's death

Aboriginal elder Mr Ward, 46, died from heatstroke after being transported from Laverton to Kalgoorlie in the back of a prison van in which the air-conditioning wasn't working.

WorkSafe Western Australia (WA) has charged the WA Department of Corrective Services, government contractor G4S Custodial Services Pty Ltd and two prison van drivers for breaching the WA OHS Act following an investigation into Mr Ward's death.

The Department and G4S each face a maximum penalty of $400,000, while the van drivers each face a maximum penalty of $20,000, if they are found guilty.

"The fact that four parties have been charged illustrates that the responsibility for keeping the workplace safe extends to a number of different parties in the workplace who have different roles," WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said.

"It also demonstrates that safe systems of work must be in operation in workplaces in order to ensure the safety of everyone – not just the workers, but also anyone else who has reason to be in that workplace.

WorkSafe WA investigated the incident after it had considered the findings of the 2009 WA Coronial Inquest into Mr Ward's death.

Although the WA Coronial Inquest said all four parties contributed to Mr Ward's death, the WA Director of Public Prosecutions ruled out laying charges.

Thursday 3 February, 2010
NSCA

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