BENDIGO disability services provider Golden City Support Services is seeking further legal advice after a decision by Bendigo Magistrates’ Court to fine the organisation $15,000 for a breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
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GCSS was handed the fine with no conviction recorded for its failure to provide a safe working environment for employees.
The charge stemmed from an incident in 2013 in which an employee sustained a serious shoulder injury after a violent altercation with an autistic client while the client was being transported in a company vehicle. The not-for-profit organisation made no changes to the way it moved clients following the incident which was found to be in breach of the act.
GCSS chief executive officer Ian McLean said he was disappointed with the outcome but respected the court’s decision.
“We don’t wish to compromise the safety of our staff nor do we believe we have done that,” he said.
Mr McLean said the $15,000 fine was a significant cost for the not-for-profit to absorb.
“Any fine is significant for a not-for-profit. It takes funding away from doing the support we provide,” he said.
GCSS was ordered to pay WorkSafe Victoria’s legal costs.
