Our compliance and enforcement activities may lead to prosecutions being filed in the South Australian Employment Tribunal and the Magistrates Court.
A prosecution may start either by our own initiative or following our consideration of a request from a person under section 231(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) (external site) (external site) (external site).
Charges laid
Charges laid after fall through roof
23 December 2025
SafeWork SA has commenced criminal proceedings against an individual after a worker fell 3.4 metres through the roof of a school building.
The proceedings were commenced in the South Australian Employment Tribunal on 23 December 2025.
It is alleged the individual was employed as a supervisor for a company that had been engaged to replace a section of roof at a school in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
It is alleged that a worker under his supervision suffered serious injuries as a result of falling 3.4 metres through the roof onto the ground level below.
Following an investigation by SafeWork SA, it is alleged the individual:
- was responsible for determining how the task was to be undertaken
- failed in his duty to take reasonable care that his acts or omissions did not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons
- failed to co-operate with his employer’s relevant policies and procedures for working at heights.
The individual has been charged with a Category 2 offence against section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act (SA) 2012.
Charges laid after scaffolding fall
Farrell v IJ Projects Pty Ltd
23 December 2025
SafeWork SA has commenced criminal proceedings against a residential construction company after a worker was seriously injured in a fall from height at a Felixstow building site.
The proceedings were commenced against IJ Projects Pty Ltd in the South Australian Employment Court on 23 December 2025.
It is alleged that two workers fell to the ground when the internal scaffold they were standing on collapsed on 3 January 2024. One of the workers sustained serious chest and rib injuries in the fall.
Following an investigation by SafeWork SA, it is alleged IJ Projects:
- failed to provide and maintain, so far as was reasonably practicable, safe plant and structures and safe systems of work
- failed to preserve the incident site when it was reasonably practicable to do so
- failed in its duty to undertake adequate maintenance inspection and testing of the internal scaffold in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
IJ Projects has been charged with committing an offence against section 32 (Category 2) of the Work Health and Safety Act (SA) 2012. It has also been charged with failing to preserve the scene of a notifiable incident, pursuant to section 39 of the WHS Act and for failing to maintain plant in accordance with regulation 213 of the Work Health and Safety Regulations.
Charges laid after worker trapped in conveyor
Farrell v Re.Cycle (Adelaide) Pty Ltd
17 December 2025
SafeWork SA has begun criminal proceedings against a Seaford Heights recycling company after a worker was seriously injured when his arm allegedly became trapped in a conveyor belt.
The proceedings were commenced against Re.Cycle (Adelaide) Pty Ltd in the South Australian Employment Court on 17 December 2025.
It is alleged the worker was operating a glass crushing plant at the Southern Material Recovery Facility on 19 December 2023 when his arm became trapped in the rollers of the conveyor belt.
The worker sustained a degloving injury to his right forearm and severe tendon damage.
Following an investigation by SafeWork SA, it is alleged Re.Cycle had failed in its duty to provide safe plant and systems of work and enforce its own policies and procedures regarding the operation of the plant. The company has been charged with committing an offence against section 32 (Category 2) of the Work Health and Safety Act (SA) 2012.
Charges laid after worker injured in rock crusher incident
Farrell v Resource Co Pty Ltd
9 December 2025
SafeWork SA has commenced criminal proceedings against a waste management company after a tension rod snapped on an industrial rock crusher, causing serious injury to a worker.
Resource Co Pty Ltd has been charged with an offence against the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 following an incident at Lonsdale on 15 December 2023.
The crusher’s operating manual warned that the tension rod or spring could break if the spring was tightened beyond 20mm.
It is alleged that the defendant exposed workers to the risk of serious injury by failing to provide a safe operating procedure. The procedure should have specified the correct tension for tightening the spring on the tension rod, as required by the crusher’s operating manual.
The defendant has been charged with an offence against section 32 of the Act.
Charges laid after worker struck by excavator
Farrell v the Trustee for the Haros Family Trust trading as A. Haros Demolition and sole trader Josef Kovacev
17 November 2025
SafeWork SA has launched criminal proceedings against a demolition business and a civil demolition contractor after a worker was struck by an excavator in Torrensville, causing a serious injury.
A. Haros Demolition and Mr Kovacev have been charged with offences against the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (the Act) after a worker was allegedly struck by an excavator on a commercial demolition site in Torrensville on 15 November 2023. The worker sustained a serious injury.
SafeWork SA alleges that both defendants failed in their primary duty of care, by failing to provide and enforce an exclusion zone around the excavator.
They have both been charged with committing an offence against section 32 (Category 2) of the Act.
Mr Kovacev has also been charged with failing to report a notifiable incident, an offence against section 38 of the Act.
Charges laid after alleged breach and failure to display prohibition notice
Farrell v Rockdale Building Solutions Pty Ltd trading as Rockdale Homes
7 November 2025
SafeWork SA has commenced criminal proceedings against a construction company after breaches of a Work Health and Safety prohibition notice.
Criminal proceedings were lodged against Rockdale Building Solutions Pty Ltd, trading as Rockdale Homes, in the South Australian Employment Court on 7 November 2025.
The charges relate to a prohibition notice issued by SafeWork SA Inspectors at a residential construction site in Salisbury East on 7 November 2023. The Inspectors had issued the written notice to prohibit the use of non-compliant and unsafe scaffolding observed onsite.
Following a further site visit from Inspectors on 13 November 2023, it is alleged that the non-compliant scaffolding was used onsite again, in breach of the prohibition notice , without any rectification to make it compliant. Inspectors were also unable to locate a copy of the prohibition notice displayed at the site.
Rockdale Homes has been charged with breaching a prohibition notice in contravention of section 197 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (the Act) and for failing to display the notice in contravention of section 210 of the Act.
Charges laid after structural collapse
Farrell v Smart Built Pty Ltd
6 November 2025
SafeWork SA has commenced criminal proceedings against a construction company and its director after a structural collapse resulting in more than $100,000 worth of damage.
Criminal proceedings were lodged against Smart Built Pty Ltd and its director in the South Australian Employment Court on 6 November 2025.
The charges relate to an alleged incident which occurred on a residential construction site in Wayville on 28 November 2023.
Three pre-cast concrete panels, weighing about 11 tonnes each, collapsed onto a neighbouring residential property, causing more than $100,000 worth of damage.
No one was seriously injured in the incident.
Following a SafeWork SA investigation, it is alleged that the company exposed workers and others at the site to a risk to their safety.
It is further alleged that the director failed to ensure the company had appropriate resources and processes in place to eliminate risks to health and safety from the work carried out.
Smart Built and its director have each been charged with committing an offence against section 32 (Category 2) of the SA Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
Charges laid after slasher fatality
Farrell v Guy Warren Jackson trading as Jacksons Slashing
23 September 2025
SafeWork SA has commenced proceedings against a slashing contractor after the death of a bystander at Salisbury Plain.
Criminal proceedings were launched against Guy Warren Jackson, trading as Jacksons Slashing, on 23 September 2025.
The charge relates to an alleged incident that occurred at Salisbury Plain on 5 October 2023 where the PCBU was undertaking slashing and mowing.
A bystander sustained a fatal head injury when they were struck by an object where it is alleged the PCBU was operating a slasher.
Following an investigation by SafeWork SA, it is alleged that the Jacksons Slashing failed to provide and maintain, so far as was reasonably practicable, the provision of safe work environment.
The company is charged with a Category 2 offence pursuant to section 32 of the Act.
Charges laid after runaway truck crash
Farrell v Schwarz Excavations and Civil Pty Ltd
15 September 2025
SafeWork SA has commenced proceedings against an earthmoving company and its director after a runaway truck crashed into a series of businesses in the Adelaide Hills.
Criminal proceedings were launched against Schwarz Excavations and Civil Pty Ltd and the company’s managing director in the South Australian Employment Court on 15 September 2025.
The charges relate to an alleged incident that occurred in Totness in the Adelaide Hills on 20 September 2023 when an unoccupied prime mover towing a trailer travelled approximately 140 metres down a slope before crashing into a number of businesses.
It was only luck that, no-one was injured in the incident, however the businesses sustained significant damage.
The company and its director have been charged with offending against section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act.
Charges laid after propellor injury
Templeton v Parilla Premium Potatoes Pty Ltd
22 August 2025
SafeWork SA has commenced proceedings against a potato producer after a worker was seriously injured by the moving propellor blades of a light aircraft.
Criminal proceedings were launched against Parilla Premium Potatoes Pty Ltd in the South Australian Employment Court on 22 August 2025.
The charges relate to an alleged incident that occurred near Parilla, about 200km east of Adelaide, on 11 September 2023.
The worker sustained serious lacerations to his right hand and arm, including the amputation of a finger.
Following an investigation by SafeWork SA, it is alleged that the company failed to have a safe system of work in place regarding the operation of the aircraft and did not have a traffic management plan relating to the aircraft’s operations.
SafeWork SA has charged the company with a Category 2 offence pursuant to section 32 of the Act.
Charges laid after trench collapse
Templeton v De-Construct Pty Ltd
8 August 2025
SafeWork SA has launched proceedings against an Adelaide demolition and civil works contractor after a worker was seriously injured when a trench collapsed at a work site.
Criminal proceedings against De-Construct Pty Ltd were filed in the South Australian Employment Court on 8 August 2025.
The charges relate to an incident that allegedly occurred at a construction site at Morphettville Racecourse as part of the development of a function centre on Sunday, 27 August 2023.
Following an investigation by SafeWork SA, it is alleged that the company failed in its primary duty of care pursuant to section 19(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 and has been charged with a Category 2 offence against section 32 of the WHS Act.
Charges laid after construction site fall
Farrell v Arcon Architectural Construction Pty Ltd
10 June 2025
SafeWork SA has commenced proceedings against an Adelaide construction company and its director after a worker was seriously injured when she fell from one level to another at a city construction site.
Criminal proceedings were commenced against Arcon Architectural Construction Pty Ltd and the company director in the South Australian Employment Court on 10 June 2025.
The charges relate to an alleged incident that occurred at a construction site in the Adelaide CBD on 23 June 2023.
Following an investigation by SafeWork SA, it is alleged that the company failed in its duty to protect the health and safety of workers in the workplace by allegedly failing to ensure that temporary live edge protection was adequately installed.
SafeWork SA has alleged that the director failed in their duty to ensure the business complied with its duties under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
SafeWork SA has charged both the company and its director with a Category 2 offence pursuant to section 32 of the Act.
Charges laid after alleged asbestos exposure
Farrell v 24 Power Fit Pty Ltd
5 June 2025
SafeWork SA has filed charges against an Adelaide fitness centre and its director after workers, staff and patrons of the centre were allegedly exposed to airborne asbestos fibres.
Criminal proceedings were lodged against 24 Power Fit Pty Ltd and its director in the South Australian Employment Court on 5 June 2025.
The charges relate to work that occurred between 1 May and 24 June 2023.
It is alleged the business failed in its duty to protect the health and safety of workers and other persons in the workplace when they were possibly exposed to a risk of airborne asbestos fibres during demolition and renovation works.
SafeWork SA has alleged that the director failed in his duty to ensure the business complied with its duties under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
SafeWork SA has charged both defendants with a Category 3 offence under section 33 of the Act.
Charges laid after worker’s hand allegedly crushed by machine
Farrell v Bureau Veritas Minerals Pty Ltd
28 May 2025
SafeWork SA has filed charges against a mineral testing organisation after a worker allegedly sustained a serious hand injury while clearing a blockage in a rock crushing machine.
Criminal proceedings were lodged against Bureau Veritas Minerals Pty Ltd in the South Australian Employment Tribunal on 28 May 2025.
The charges relate to an incident at the company’s Wingfield site on 29 June 2023.
It is alleged that the defendant’s failure to comply with its health and safety duty exposed the worker to a risk of serious injury.
This risk allegedly materialised when a worker’s right hand became entangled in the internal rollers of the crusher resulting in serious injury.
SafeWork SA has alleged there was a common practice of workers removing the rock crushing machine’s guard and metal arm to dislodge rock material by hand from between the two internal rollers, making it possible for a worker to become entangled in the internal rollers of the crusher.
It is alleged the defendant failed to identify the risk of a worker operating a rock crusher without a functioning interlocked guard and also that it failed to ensure the worker was adequately trained and supervised when he undertook the task.
SafeWork SA has charged Bureau Veritas Minerals with a Category 2 offence under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
Charges laid after worker allegedly engulfed in flame
Farrell v Winona Way Pty Ltd
22 May 2025
SafeWork SA has filed charges against an Adelaide hotel and its managing director after a worker was allegedly engulfed in flames while re-fuelling a decorative fireplace.
Criminal proceedings have been lodged against Winona Way Pty Ltd, trading as The Gully Public House and Garden, and its managing director, deemed an Officer for the purposes of the Work Health and Safety Act, in the South Australian Employment Tribunal on 22 May 2025.
The charges relate to an incident which occurred at the hotel on 2 June 2023.
It is alleged the worker was employed at The Gully Public House and Garden where he was required to re-fuel a bioethanol fuelled fireplace using a 25L plastic container.
The fuel or vapours allegedly ignited resulting in the worker suffering significant burns.
SafeWork SA has alleged the defendants failed to ensure that the task was undertaken in compliance with the manufacturer’s safety instructions and using the manufacturer’s authorised accessories and equipment and also that the worker was adequately trained and supervised when he undertook the task.
It is alleged both defendants failed to comply with their health and safety duty and exposed the worker to a risk of death or serious injury.
SafeWork SA has charged both defendants with a Category 2 offence under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
Charges laid over exposure to ‘unsafe’ lead levels
Farrell v AGL Torrens Island Pty Limited
16 May 2025
SafeWork SA has lodged criminal proceedings against AGL Torrens Island Pty Limited, alleging the company exposed workers to unsafe levels of lead during the de-commissioning of its ‘A’ power station.
SafeWork SA launched the action in the South Australian Employment Court on 16 May 2025 following a lengthy and complex investigation.
It is alleged that AGL Torrens Island Pty Limited engaged the workers to de-commission the ‘A’ power station between October 2022 and April 2023.
This involved de-energising, or preparing to de-energise, cabling throughout the power station, allegedly exposing the workers to lead or lead dust.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was provided – but allegedly did not include a full-face respirator.
Five workers allegedly recorded an elevated blood lead level subsequent to the work.
It is alleged that AGL Torrens Island Pty Limited’s failure to comply with its health and safety duty exposed workers to unsafe levels of lead.
SafeWork SA has charged AGL Torrens Island Pty Limited with a Category 2 offence under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
Charges laid after ‘traumatic amputation’
Farrell v Hillier Poultry
29 April 2026
SafeWork SA has commenced criminal proceedings against a poultry business after a worker was seriously injured when their arm became entangled in an auger.
The proceedings against Hillier Poultry were lodged in the South Australian Employment Court on 16 April 2026 following a SafeWork SA investigation.
It is alleged a worker was cleaning an outlet at the base of a feed mixer when the plant became energised on 22 April 2024, entangling the worker’s left forearm in an internal auger resulting in a “traumatic amputation”.
It will be alleged the business failed to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers at the workplace by:
- failing to maintain safe plant and structures
- failing to perform adequate hazard identification and risk assessments
- failing to provide adequate information, training, instruction, or supervision
The defendant has been charged with a Category 2 offence of failing to comply with a health and safety duty contrary to Section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
Charges laid after construction fall
Farrell v Shearwall Pty Ltd
23 April 2026
SafeWork SA has commenced criminal proceedings against a construction company after a worker sustained serious injuries following a fall from height.
The proceedings against Shearwall Pty Ltd, trading as Mitcon Formwork, were lodged in the South Australian Employment Court on 7 April 2026.
It is alleged the worker was working on level 10 of a North Adelaide construction site where he was tasked to move a temporary handrail close to the live edge on 8 April 2024.
The worker allegedly stepped on a panel of the formwork deck that had not been properly secured, causing him to fall through the deck to the level below – a fall of about 3.5 metres. He was not wearing a harness at the time of the incident, and he sustained serious leg and back injuries.
The defendant has been charged with a Category 2 offence under Section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
It will be alleged that the risks of falls from height were not being appropriately managed with the company failing in its health and safety duty as prescribed by section 19(1) of the WHS Act.
Charges laid after worker struck by skid-steer
Farrell v SGK Constructions Pty Ltd and SA Civil Construction Pty Ltd
22 April 2026
SafeWork SA has commenced criminal proceedings against two construction companies and a worker after another person was struck by a skid steer and seriously injured.
Criminal proceedings were commenced against SGK Constructions Pty Ltd, one of its workers and SA Civil Construction Pty Ltd in the South Australian Employment Court on 10 April 2026.
The charges relate to an alleged incident that occurred at a residential construction site in Gilles Plains on 29 April 2024.
It will be alleged that SA Civil Construction had been engaged to conduct foundation works at the site and SGK Constructions had been engaged by SA Civil Construction to conduct site levelling works.
It is further alleged that the SGK Construction worker was the operator of the Skid-steer (Bobcat) at the time of the incident. The injured worker was employed by SA Civil Construction as a truck driver.
All three defendants have been charged with category 2 offences under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
It will be alleged that SA Civil Constructions and SGK Construction failed in its health and safety duty as prescribed by section 19(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 by ensuring, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers while at the workplace.
It will be further alleged that the worker, had a duty prescribed by section 28 of the Act to take reasonable care that his acts or omissions while at work did not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons, including the injured worker and that he breached that duty.
Charges laid after worker dies from carbon monoxide poisoning
Farrell v AlmondCo Australia Limited
26 February 2026
SafeWork SA has commenced criminal proceedings against an almond processing company after a worker allegedly died from the toxic effects of carbon monoxide.
The proceedings against AlmondCo Australia Limited were lodged in the South Australian Employment Court on 26 February 2026.
It is alleged the worker, 51, was operating a gas-powered forklift in an enclosed cool room at the company’s processing facility at Pike River, south of Renmark in the Riverland, between 29 February and 1 March 2024.
It is alleged the carbon monoxide produced by the forklift reached levels in the cool room that caused the worker’s death.
SafeWork SA was notified of the incident and undertook an investigation.
It is alleged AlmondCo Australia Limited allegedly failed, as far as reasonably practicable, to implement effective controls such as installing a carbon monoxide monitor in the cool room and ensuring that gas-fuelled forklifts were not operating once the monitor was activated.
The company has been charged with committing an offence against Section 32 (Category 2) of the Work Health and Safety Act (SA) 2012.
Charges laid after worker crushed between heavy vehicles
Farrell v Rock Logistics Pty Ltd
16 February 2026
SafeWork SA has commenced proceedings against a transport company and one of its managers after a worker was crushed between two vehicles, causing serious injuries.
The charges relate to an incident on 10 February 2024 in Novar Gardens, where the worker was pinned and crushed between a truck and trailer.
He was hospitalised for more than a month.
SafeWork SA have alleged that Rock Logistics failed in its duty to provide and maintain a safe system of work for its workers.
A manager at the company is alleged to have supervised and used a dangerous work method, which led to the worker being injured.
The two defendants have been charged with a Category 2 offence under Section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
Charges laid after carbon monoxide exposure at recreational facility
Farrell v Adelaide Ice Arena Pty Ltd
10 February 2026
SafeWork SA has commenced criminal proceedings against Adelaide Ice Arena Pty Ltd after multiple occupants were exposed to significant levels of carbon monoxide.
The charges relate to an incident on 10 February 2024 in Thebarton. It is alleged that occupants at the Ice Arena were exposed to significant levels of carbon monoxide from a poorly maintained fuel powered Ice Resurfacer, used to clean, scrape and smooth ice rink surfaces.
SafeWork SA alleges that Adelaide Ice Arena Pty Ltd failed to ensure the plant was safe to operate, and failed to ensure adequate air monitoring at the workplace.
The defendant has been charged with a Category 2 offence pursuant to section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
*This page was created on 15 May 2025 and only contains information relating to cases lodged after that date.