Make industrial manslaughter a crime

For more than 20 years, I've been attending sites where a worker has been killed. I've carried bodies out, cleaned up blood and consoled work mates. I've seen grown men in uncontrollable fits of tears and families devastated at unnecessary funerals.

And what makes it unbearable is that every one of these deaths was preventable. If more had been done, these men would still be alive and their families would still be together. If there were significant consequences for big corporations that kill workers, then our workplaces would be safer. 

The good news is that there are ways to make our work sites safer. That's why I've started this petition, calling on Daniel Andrews to introduce Industrial Manslaughter laws here in Victoria. Laws that would punish big corporations where they have been negligent and force them to take safety seriously.

They send a clear message to corporations that their negligence can kill. By holding negligent employers to account, these laws will make our workplaces safer.

Queensland, the ACT, the UK and Canada are ahead of Victoria, with laws that mean negligent corporations and senior managers can be charged over the death of an employee. 26 people have been killed at work in the last year in Victoria. One death is too many and it's time for action.

It's not good enough that corporations and their senior officers can negligently cause the death of a worker and evade justice.

If you or someone you know has been affected by a workplace injury or death and feel distressed by the content on this page, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.