❓ A parliamentary question regarding the deaths and injuries of workers during Cyclone George at a Fortescue Metals Group camp, seeking updates on investigations, responsibility, and preventative measures. The Minister's response indicates no ongoing investigations and outlines WorkSafe's actions following the incident.
AnsweredQoN 317Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CYCLONE GEORGE — PILBARA WORKERS —
DEATHS
317. Hon JON FORD to the Minister for Commerce:
I refer to the deaths of workers and others injured whilst
sheltering from cyclone George in a workers' camp built for Fortescue
Metals Group in the Pilbara.
(1) Are there
any outstanding investigations or planned prosecutions of companies,
individuals or relevant authorities involved in the approval, construction or
running of this camp?
(2) If yes to
(1), what and/or who are they?
(3) Who, or
which authority, does WorkSafe believe is responsible for these worker
fatalities and injuries?
(4) What has
been or is currently being done to ensure workers are not subjected to similar
circumstances in the future?
DEATHS
317. Hon JON FORD to the Minister for Commerce:
I refer to the deaths of workers and others injured whilst
sheltering from cyclone George in a workers' camp built for Fortescue
Metals Group in the Pilbara.
(1) Are there
any outstanding investigations or planned prosecutions of companies,
individuals or relevant authorities involved in the approval, construction or
running of this camp?
(2) If yes to
(1), what and/or who are they?
(3) Who, or
which authority, does WorkSafe believe is responsible for these worker
fatalities and injuries?
(4) What has
been or is currently being done to ensure workers are not subjected to similar
circumstances in the future?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for notice of this question.
(1) No.
(2) Not
applicable.
(3) WorkSafe's
role is to investigate matters to identify potential breaches and take action,
which may include prosecution, consistent with the Occupational Safety and Health
Act 1984. It is the role of the courts to attribute responsibility, not
WorkSafe.
(4) WorkSafe
made information available to the public and to other agencies during the
course of the investigation; issued a safety and health alert and safety
bulletin; met and sent reminders to local government authorities on WorkSafe's
reporting requirements for building and construction projects; and undertook
consultations with agencies responsible for emergency preparedness and
response. WorkSafe understands that many companies subsequently reviewed their
accommodation in the region, including checking and improving tie-downs on
transportable accommodation, or dongas.
honourable member for notice of this question.
(1) No.
(2) Not
applicable.
(3) WorkSafe's
role is to investigate matters to identify potential breaches and take action,
which may include prosecution, consistent with the Occupational Safety and Health
Act 1984. It is the role of the courts to attribute responsibility, not
WorkSafe.
(4) WorkSafe
made information available to the public and to other agencies during the
course of the investigation; issued a safety and health alert and safety
bulletin; met and sent reminders to local government authorities on WorkSafe's
reporting requirements for building and construction projects; and undertook
consultations with agencies responsible for emergency preparedness and
response. WorkSafe understands that many companies subsequently reviewed their
accommodation in the region, including checking and improving tie-downs on
transportable accommodation, or dongas.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.