Mock courts to demonstrate WHS laws in action
Facilitated by LGA Mutual, the public mock trials will give insights into the legal framework around work health and safety laws with representatives from Sparke Helmore Lawyers and SafeWork SA.
There will be four mock courts held during October and an incident investigation, with all events open to the public.
The Port Adelaide incident investigation takes place in the lead up to the mock trial and follows the same case at a fictitious local council where a worker is injured following the inhalation of toxic fumes while cleaning the workplace barbecue.
This year’s mock trials will be held in Port Adelaide, Burnside and Minlaton on Yorke Peninsula.
Mock trials and incident simulation
Incident simulation – Coke bottle scenario
When: Thursday, 9 October 2025, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: Yitpi Yartapuultiku, Aboriginal Cultural Centre, 1300 Old Port Road, Port Adelaide
Scenario: A Council worker is injured following the inhalation of toxic fumes while cleaning the workplace barbecue. The worker used liquid from a Coke bottle labelled ‘metal cleaner’.
In this presentation we explore the immediate aftermath of an incident involving hazardous chemicals, including making a site safe, notifying the Regulator, and commencing an internal investigation under Legal Professional Privilege. It follows the Regulator as they interview witnesses and deals with how best to respond to a Section 155 notice.
Mock court – Coke bottle scenario
When: Thursday, 16 October 2025, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: Yitpi Yartapuultiku, Aboriginal Cultural Centre, 1300 Old Port Rd, Port Adelaide
Scenario: A Council worker is injured following the inhalation of toxic fumes while cleaning the workplace barbecue. The worker used liquid from a Coke bottle labelled ‘metal cleaner’.
The Regulator (SafeWork SA) commences proceedings against the Council and the worker who labelled the Coke bottle containing cleaner for breaches of their health and safety duties. The trial explores the reasonably practicable steps taken (and not taken) by both defendants and the consequences that flow from the steps taken at the incident investigation level.
Mock court – Psychosocial hazards
When: Tuesday, 21 October 2025, 1:00pm - 4.30pm
Where: Burnside Ballroom, 401 Greenhill Rd, Tusmore
About: A gastro outbreak causes the local swimming pool to close at the beginning of a 14-day heatwave. A Facilities Manager, responsible for both the local pool’s social media marketing campaign and chlorine levels, is heavily criticised by both the public and her director culminating in a breakdown at work. The Regulator investigates the workplace in relation to their management of psychosocial hazards.
The Regulator (SafeWork SA) ultimately commences proceedings against the Council and the Director who failed to support the Facilities Manager for breaches of their health and safety duties. The trial explores the reasonably practicable steps taken (and not taken) by both defendants and the consequences that flow from the incident investigation. It will further explore how the Regulator and Court might expect a workplace to identify and control psychosocial risks in line with changes made to the WHS Act in December 2023.
Mock court – Nature’s playground
When: Thursday, 23 October 2025, 9:30 am - 12.30pm
Where: Minlaton Town Hall, 57 Main St, Minlaton
Scenario: Four Trees Local Council was in the process of building a new nature playground when a contractor engaged by Council collided with a child in their vehicle and seriously injured the young girl.
The Regulator (SafeWork SA) commenced proceedings against the Council and the Operations Manager. The issues canvassed in the mock trial include traffic management, exclusion zones, risk assessments, inductions and contractor management. Questions are raised as to whether the Council and management responded appropriately after previous audits identified similar issues that culminated in the incident at hand.
Mock Court – Psychosocial hazards
When: Tuesday, 28 October, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: Sferas Convention Centre, 191 Reservoir Road, Modbury
Scenario: A gastro outbreak causes the local swimming pool to close at the beginning of a 14-day heatwave. A Facilities Manager, responsible for both the local pool’s social media marketing campaign and chlorine levels, is heavily criticised by both the public and her director culminating in a breakdown at work. The Regulator investigates the workplace in relation to their management of psychosocial hazards.
The Regulator (SafeWork SA) ultimately commences proceedings against the Council and Director who failed to support the Facilities Manager for breaches of their health and safety duties. The trial explores the reasonably practicable steps taken (and not taken) by both defendants and the consequences that flow from the incident investigation. It will further explore how the Regulator and Court might expect a workplace to identify and control psychosocial risks in line with changes made to the WHS Act in December 2023.