❓ Question regarding a fatality at the Harvey abattoir, WorkSafe investigation, and the timeline of events. The Minister expresses condolences, confirms the investigation, and avoids specifics pending its conclusion, promising a briefing for the questioner.
AnsweredQoN 29Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
HARVEY ABATTOIR — FATALITY
I refer to the recent fatality at the Harvey abattoir, reported in The West Australian on 29 January. (1) Has WorkSafe investigated this fatality? (2) If yes to (1), when will the report be available? (3) If no to (1), why not? (4) Is it true that this worker was deceased for a number of days before the body was discovered? (5) If yes to (4), what action has WorkSafe taken to ensure that this situation does not occur again in the future? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
I refer to the recent fatality at the Harvey abattoir, reported in The West Australian on 29 January. (1) Has WorkSafe investigated this fatality? (2) If yes to (1), when will the report be available? (3) If no to (1), why not? (4) Is it true that this worker was deceased for a number of days before the body was discovered? (5) If yes to (4), what action has WorkSafe taken to ensure that this situation does not occur again in the future? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1)–(5) Any work-related death is a tragedy, and this one is particularly so. I would certainly like to join, with other members, including Hon Jon Ford, in expressing my regret that such a tragedy occurred. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the deceased worker’s family and friends. I advise that WorkSafe is currently investigating this fatality, and decisions about the availability of WorkSafe’s report will be made by WorkSafe at the conclusion of the investigation. Regardless of that, though, I will follow this up with the honourable member, if he wishes, to make sure that he is provided with a confidential briefing if the report is not otherwise made available, so that we ensure that there is scrutiny of what happened. I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
(1) Has WorkSafe investigated this fatality? (2) If yes to (1), when will the report be available? (3) If no to (1), why not? (4) Is it true that this worker was deceased for a number of days before the body was discovered? (5) If yes to (4), what action has WorkSafe taken to ensure that this situation does not occur again in the future? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1)–(5) Any work-related death is a tragedy, and this one is particularly so. I would certainly like to join, with other members, including Hon Jon Ford, in expressing my regret that such a tragedy occurred. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the deceased worker’s family and friends. I advise that WorkSafe is currently investigating this fatality, and decisions about the availability of WorkSafe’s report will be made by WorkSafe at the conclusion of the investigation. Regardless of that, though, I will follow this up with the honourable member, if he wishes, to make sure that he is provided with a confidential briefing if the report is not otherwise made available, so that we ensure that there is scrutiny of what happened. I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
(2) If yes to (1), when will the report be available? (3) If no to (1), why not? (4) Is it true that this worker was deceased for a number of days before the body was discovered? (5) If yes to (4), what action has WorkSafe taken to ensure that this situation does not occur again in the future? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1)–(5) Any work-related death is a tragedy, and this one is particularly so. I would certainly like to join, with other members, including Hon Jon Ford, in expressing my regret that such a tragedy occurred. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the deceased worker’s family and friends. I advise that WorkSafe is currently investigating this fatality, and decisions about the availability of WorkSafe’s report will be made by WorkSafe at the conclusion of the investigation. Regardless of that, though, I will follow this up with the honourable member, if he wishes, to make sure that he is provided with a confidential briefing if the report is not otherwise made available, so that we ensure that there is scrutiny of what happened. I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
(3) If no to (1), why not? (4) Is it true that this worker was deceased for a number of days before the body was discovered? (5) If yes to (4), what action has WorkSafe taken to ensure that this situation does not occur again in the future? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1)–(5) Any work-related death is a tragedy, and this one is particularly so. I would certainly like to join, with other members, including Hon Jon Ford, in expressing my regret that such a tragedy occurred. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the deceased worker’s family and friends. I advise that WorkSafe is currently investigating this fatality, and decisions about the availability of WorkSafe’s report will be made by WorkSafe at the conclusion of the investigation. Regardless of that, though, I will follow this up with the honourable member, if he wishes, to make sure that he is provided with a confidential briefing if the report is not otherwise made available, so that we ensure that there is scrutiny of what happened. I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
(4) Is it true that this worker was deceased for a number of days before the body was discovered? (5) If yes to (4), what action has WorkSafe taken to ensure that this situation does not occur again in the future? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1)–(5) Any work-related death is a tragedy, and this one is particularly so. I would certainly like to join, with other members, including Hon Jon Ford, in expressing my regret that such a tragedy occurred. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the deceased worker’s family and friends. I advise that WorkSafe is currently investigating this fatality, and decisions about the availability of WorkSafe’s report will be made by WorkSafe at the conclusion of the investigation. Regardless of that, though, I will follow this up with the honourable member, if he wishes, to make sure that he is provided with a confidential briefing if the report is not otherwise made available, so that we ensure that there is scrutiny of what happened. I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
(5) If yes to (4), what action has WorkSafe taken to ensure that this situation does not occur again in the future? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1)–(5) Any work-related death is a tragedy, and this one is particularly so. I would certainly like to join, with other members, including Hon Jon Ford, in expressing my regret that such a tragedy occurred. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the deceased worker’s family and friends. I advise that WorkSafe is currently investigating this fatality, and decisions about the availability of WorkSafe’s report will be made by WorkSafe at the conclusion of the investigation. Regardless of that, though, I will follow this up with the honourable member, if he wishes, to make sure that he is provided with a confidential briefing if the report is not otherwise made available, so that we ensure that there is scrutiny of what happened. I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1)–(5) Any work-related death is a tragedy, and this one is particularly so. I would certainly like to join, with other members, including Hon Jon Ford, in expressing my regret that such a tragedy occurred. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the deceased worker’s family and friends. I advise that WorkSafe is currently investigating this fatality, and decisions about the availability of WorkSafe’s report will be made by WorkSafe at the conclusion of the investigation. Regardless of that, though, I will follow this up with the honourable member, if he wishes, to make sure that he is provided with a confidential briefing if the report is not otherwise made available, so that we ensure that there is scrutiny of what happened. I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1)–(5) Any work-related death is a tragedy, and this one is particularly so. I would certainly like to join, with other members, including Hon Jon Ford, in expressing my regret that such a tragedy occurred. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the deceased worker’s family and friends. I advise that WorkSafe is currently investigating this fatality, and decisions about the availability of WorkSafe’s report will be made by WorkSafe at the conclusion of the investigation. Regardless of that, though, I will follow this up with the honourable member, if he wishes, to make sure that he is provided with a confidential briefing if the report is not otherwise made available, so that we ensure that there is scrutiny of what happened. I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
(1)–(5) Any work-related death is a tragedy, and this one is particularly so. I would certainly like to join, with other members, including Hon Jon Ford, in expressing my regret that such a tragedy occurred. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the deceased worker’s family and friends. I advise that WorkSafe is currently investigating this fatality, and decisions about the availability of WorkSafe’s report will be made by WorkSafe at the conclusion of the investigation. Regardless of that, though, I will follow this up with the honourable member, if he wishes, to make sure that he is provided with a confidential briefing if the report is not otherwise made available, so that we ensure that there is scrutiny of what happened. I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
(1) Has WorkSafe investigated this fatality? (2) If yes to (1), when will the report be available? (3) If no to (1), why not? (4) Is it true that this worker was deceased for a number of days before the body was discovered? (5) If yes to (4), what action has WorkSafe taken to ensure that this situation does not occur again in the future? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1)–(5) Any work-related death is a tragedy, and this one is particularly so. I would certainly like to join, with other members, including Hon Jon Ford, in expressing my regret that such a tragedy occurred. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the deceased worker’s family and friends. I advise that WorkSafe is currently investigating this fatality, and decisions about the availability of WorkSafe’s report will be made by WorkSafe at the conclusion of the investigation. Regardless of that, though, I will follow this up with the honourable member, if he wishes, to make sure that he is provided with a confidential briefing if the report is not otherwise made available, so that we ensure that there is scrutiny of what happened. I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
(2) If yes to (1), when will the report be available? (3) If no to (1), why not? (4) Is it true that this worker was deceased for a number of days before the body was discovered? (5) If yes to (4), what action has WorkSafe taken to ensure that this situation does not occur again in the future? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1)–(5) Any work-related death is a tragedy, and this one is particularly so. I would certainly like to join, with other members, including Hon Jon Ford, in expressing my regret that such a tragedy occurred. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the deceased worker’s family and friends. I advise that WorkSafe is currently investigating this fatality, and decisions about the availability of WorkSafe’s report will be made by WorkSafe at the conclusion of the investigation. Regardless of that, though, I will follow this up with the honourable member, if he wishes, to make sure that he is provided with a confidential briefing if the report is not otherwise made available, so that we ensure that there is scrutiny of what happened. I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
(3) If no to (1), why not? (4) Is it true that this worker was deceased for a number of days before the body was discovered? (5) If yes to (4), what action has WorkSafe taken to ensure that this situation does not occur again in the future? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1)–(5) Any work-related death is a tragedy, and this one is particularly so. I would certainly like to join, with other members, including Hon Jon Ford, in expressing my regret that such a tragedy occurred. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the deceased worker’s family and friends. I advise that WorkSafe is currently investigating this fatality, and decisions about the availability of WorkSafe’s report will be made by WorkSafe at the conclusion of the investigation. Regardless of that, though, I will follow this up with the honourable member, if he wishes, to make sure that he is provided with a confidential briefing if the report is not otherwise made available, so that we ensure that there is scrutiny of what happened. I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
(4) Is it true that this worker was deceased for a number of days before the body was discovered? (5) If yes to (4), what action has WorkSafe taken to ensure that this situation does not occur again in the future? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1)–(5) Any work-related death is a tragedy, and this one is particularly so. I would certainly like to join, with other members, including Hon Jon Ford, in expressing my regret that such a tragedy occurred. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the deceased worker’s family and friends. I advise that WorkSafe is currently investigating this fatality, and decisions about the availability of WorkSafe’s report will be made by WorkSafe at the conclusion of the investigation. Regardless of that, though, I will follow this up with the honourable member, if he wishes, to make sure that he is provided with a confidential briefing if the report is not otherwise made available, so that we ensure that there is scrutiny of what happened. I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
(5) If yes to (4), what action has WorkSafe taken to ensure that this situation does not occur again in the future? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1)–(5) Any work-related death is a tragedy, and this one is particularly so. I would certainly like to join, with other members, including Hon Jon Ford, in expressing my regret that such a tragedy occurred. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the deceased worker’s family and friends. I advise that WorkSafe is currently investigating this fatality, and decisions about the availability of WorkSafe’s report will be made by WorkSafe at the conclusion of the investigation. Regardless of that, though, I will follow this up with the honourable member, if he wishes, to make sure that he is provided with a confidential briefing if the report is not otherwise made available, so that we ensure that there is scrutiny of what happened. I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1)–(5) Any work-related death is a tragedy, and this one is particularly so. I would certainly like to join, with other members, including Hon Jon Ford, in expressing my regret that such a tragedy occurred. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the deceased worker’s family and friends. I advise that WorkSafe is currently investigating this fatality, and decisions about the availability of WorkSafe’s report will be made by WorkSafe at the conclusion of the investigation. Regardless of that, though, I will follow this up with the honourable member, if he wishes, to make sure that he is provided with a confidential briefing if the report is not otherwise made available, so that we ensure that there is scrutiny of what happened. I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1)–(5) Any work-related death is a tragedy, and this one is particularly so. I would certainly like to join, with other members, including Hon Jon Ford, in expressing my regret that such a tragedy occurred. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the deceased worker’s family and friends. I advise that WorkSafe is currently investigating this fatality, and decisions about the availability of WorkSafe’s report will be made by WorkSafe at the conclusion of the investigation. Regardless of that, though, I will follow this up with the honourable member, if he wishes, to make sure that he is provided with a confidential briefing if the report is not otherwise made available, so that we ensure that there is scrutiny of what happened. I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
(1)–(5) Any work-related death is a tragedy, and this one is particularly so. I would certainly like to join, with other members, including Hon Jon Ford, in expressing my regret that such a tragedy occurred. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the deceased worker’s family and friends. I advise that WorkSafe is currently investigating this fatality, and decisions about the availability of WorkSafe’s report will be made by WorkSafe at the conclusion of the investigation. Regardless of that, though, I will follow this up with the honourable member, if he wishes, to make sure that he is provided with a confidential briefing if the report is not otherwise made available, so that we ensure that there is scrutiny of what happened. I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
I am aware that there have been reports about this incident in the mainstream media, including speculation about the timing of when it occurred; however; as the investigation is ongoing, WorkSafe considers that it is not appropriate to comment about this fatality until that investigation is concluded, so I will respect that. But, again, I am just as keen as the member is to get to the bottom of this, to make sure that it is properly investigated by my agency, and, in particular, to make sure that arrangements are put in place to make sure that we do not have a fatality in circumstances such as these happening again.
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