WHS Expert Witness
Brisbane

WHS Expert Witness in Brisbane, Queensland

Queensland adopted the harmonised Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland administers the Act, and prosecutions are brought by the independent Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor. Workers compensation is governed by the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003, under which the Workers' Compensation Regulator reviews insurer decisions and appeals from its review decisions go to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. Mines and quarries are covered by separate legislation, the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 and the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999, administered by Resources Safety and Health Queensland.

Queensland is Australia's largest resources state. Mining, oil and gas, construction and agriculture are significant sources of workplace injury claims. Karim's experience managing WHS in high-hazard energy environments and his familiarity with principal hazard management frameworks makes him well-placed for Queensland resources sector matters. See the mining WHS expert page for detail on resources sector instructions.

Instructions from Brisbane and regional Queensland law firms are accepted. Site inspections in South-East Queensland can generally be arranged within a week or two. Mine site inspections in the Bowen Basin and other regional areas require advance planning to arrange access approvals and travel.

Queensland workers can claim common law damages against their employer under the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003, but must prove negligence. A worker assessed with less than 20 per cent permanent impairment must choose between a lump sum and pursuing damages, and damages are capped. Public liability claims are decided under the Civil Liability Act 2003 (Qld), with the general principles in section 9.