QLD: reminder issued on work-related injury insurance
The following article is a news item provided for the benefit of the Workplace Health and Safety profession. Its content does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Institute of Health & Safety.
Date:
Tuesday, 6 December, 2022 - 12:15
Category:
Policy & legislation
Location:
Queensland
WorkCover Queensland recently issued a reminder to businesses that they must insure their workers against the costs of work-related injuries after recent compliance activities uncovered dozens of uninsured businesses.
In October 2022, WorkCover Queensland conducted targeted site visits and audits at 205 businesses across southeast Queensland and Cairns, as part of its year-round compliance activities.
Of those 205 businesses visited, 31 per cent were found to be operating without appropriate workers’ compensation insurance.
Retail, food service, construction and agriculture were among the leading industries where businesses were found to be uninsured or underinsured.
Employers must insure workers against work-related injury or illness (unless they are a self-insurer).
If a claim is accepted, WorkCover insurance can cover employers for the costs of the claim including medical expenses, wages for time off work, and even common law damages claims.
The regulator said business owners can check their workers’ compensation obligations and the different types of WorkCover insurance and who they need to cover online.
However, the regulator said ignorance is not a defence, and businesses that choose to turn a blind eye to their workers’ compensation obligations are being held to account.
“WorkCover regularly conducts targeted site visits at workplaces across Queensland,” the regulator said.
“We also have access to a range of data and information that can be matched to policies and businesses to help us determine those businesses that are uninsured or inaccurately reporting their wages.”