From 1 July 2020, organisations can face fines of $16.5 million or executives can face up to 25 years in jail under new workplace manslaughter laws, which make negligent conduct by an employer that breaches OH&S laws and causes the death of another person a criminal offence.
The law does not apply retrospectively.
WorkSafe Victoria has written to at least 30 aged care providers in relation to about 50 aged care homes asking them to prove they did not breach OH&S laws during last year’s devastating COVID-19 outbreaks, states a report in The Age.
According to the news outlet, aged care providers have been advised that if found guilty of breaching workplace laws that led to the deaths of residents, they could be charged under the new laws.
The Age confirmed that Estia Health Aged Care, Japara Healthcare and Benetas Aged Care, among others, have all been issued with WorkSafe notices.
WorkSafe will conduct a formal investigation into the matter, but for now is asking facilities to provide information about who was responsible for infection control, contact tracing, the adequacy of personal protective equipment (PPE) and planning for surge workforces.
They are also asking to be provided with details of rosters, outbreak management plans, training, and lists of all residents and staff.
News of the WorkSafe inquiries comes after the first week of coronial inquest hearings into the shocking COVID-19 outbreak at St Basil’s Fawker, in which 45 residents died.
The Age has reported that Paul Sadler, chief executive of not-for-profit aged care peak body Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA), said the sector “welcomed scrutiny” but facilities’ responses to the pandemic were hampered by “a chaotic vaccine rollout, severe lack of resources, equipment and staff”.
“The sector’s response to this deadly pandemic has been a huge feat and is a testament to the hard work and passion of our workforce,” Mr Sadler said.
“WorkSafe Victoria must guarantee that its investigation does not distract providers and staff from the first priority of keeping residents safe,” he continued, noting that there are active COVID-19 outbreaks in aged care homes at the moment.
WorkSafe Victoria is already investigating outbreaks at St Basil’s, Kalyna Aged Care, Kirkbrae Presbyterian homes, Mecwacare and Epping Gardens, according to The Age.
If WorkSafe Victoria gathers enough information to warrant charges, it must issue charges within two years of the offence occurring.
By making office holders and organisations criminally responsible for decisions that result in a death, WorkSafe Victoria hopes there will be a strong incentive for duty holders to comply with OH&S obligations.
HelloCare will follow WorkSafe Victoria’s investigation with interest, and keep our readers informed.
At least one of the corporate chains should have been shut down years ago. Lifestyle fees are a complete rort. Inadequate staffing, rationing of pads and linen and empty hand sanitizers which are never replenished (NB. Not when I visited anyway.). This is third world care dressed up to look like it is something else. No wonder over 800 people died.
So very quick to judge and point fingers. I’m ashamed to be called an Australian.
It would be helpful if WorkSafe Victoria included in its investigations how many deaths came about because of the decisions of the Victorian Government. For example – refusing aged care residents access to hospitals – health department taking control over aged care facilities and putting all employees into quarantine and the list goes on…. Who am I kidding? None of that will ever happen but let’s let a government witch hunt threaten those who gave their all to look after older Australians in their care under extraordinary circumstances. The majority of aged care deaths that were Covid related were due to the NSW and Victorian governments refusing hospital care to older Australians and yet nobody calls them out on it. It’s a national disgrace.
How much will the Victoria n government be charged for the 800 deaths under their watch, and who will be charged?
If others are to be charged, the government should certainly be charged.
No one has deliberately “killed” anyone, and staff and management are probably struggling to come to terms with what happened. Why don’t they follow a no-blame policy so that incidents are fully and openly investigated without fear of telling the truth. This would improve systems, and not target people trying to do a job under very difficult circumstances. Who would work in an industry with these threats hanging over you if someone in the organisation makes a mistake. It’s just wrong on so many levels!