Former WA Industrial Relations Commissioner and Chief Industrial Relations Commissioner, Pam Scott, has been appointed to lead an inquiry into deaths in the state’s agricultural industry.
WA WorkSafe Commissioner, Darren Kavanagh, today released the Terms of Reference for his Inquiry into the Agricultural Industry and appointed Ms Scott as an Independent Inquirer to assist him.
The death of a Great Southern farm worker in June was the 12th death in the Agriculture industry in 12 months, leading the Commissioner to initiate an Inquiry under the provisions of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020.
The Inquiry will result in a report that reflects the findings and makes recommendations on matters that affect safety performance in the industry and have influenced the increase in fatal incidents.
Ms Scott is a former Industrial Relations Commissioner and Chief Industrial Relations Commissioner who served in those roles for a total of 25 years until 2021.
The WorkSafe Commissioner has expressed his disappointment with the number of deaths in the industry, announcing this Inquiry in June and stating that the statistics were not acceptable and he was concerned that the number of deaths continued to increase.
“The Inquiry will consider the culture of the agriculture industry that seems to accept fatal incidents at significantly higher rates than any other industry, with farm production appearing to be put before the safety of families and workers,” Mr Kavanagh said.
“I envisage that the Inquiry will be completed and the report written by the end of this year.”
