NT WorkSafe accepts two enforceable undertakings for the 2017 Red CentreNATS incident 

NT WorkSafe has accepted two enforceable undertakings for the 2017 incident where 14 spectators received serious burn injuries during a burnout competition at the Red CentreNATS on 3rd September 2017.

The Northern Territory Major Events Company Pty Ltd is the event organiser of the Red CentreNATS and Car Festivals Pty Ltd is the event coordinator for the Red CentreNATS.
It was alleged that NT Major Events Company Pty Ltd and Car Festivals Pty Ltd failed to comply with health and safety duties under Sections 19, 38 and 39 of the Work Health Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 (the Act) and its obligations under the Work Health Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011.

Car Festivals Pty Ltd and the Northern Territory Major Events Company Pty Ltd committed to spend a combined $1.2 million in legally binding agreements, when it became clear NT WorkSafe was considering laying charges over the incident.

Acting Executive Director NT WorkSafe, Melissa Garde said enforceable undertakings and prosecutions were both sanctions under the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011, and the decision on which sanction to use was based on achieving the best health and safety outcomes for Territorians.

Garde explained “Car Festivals have committed to spend more than $255,000 on activities that provide safety equipment and build volunteer capacity with the aim of improving safety at NT motorsports events.

“NT Major Events will spend more than $944,000 on activities that will not only improve safety at organised public events, but also improve safety at community events by building the knowledge and capacity of the volunteers and organisations running them.

“Large numbers of Northern Territorians and visitors attend these events.

“The incident at 2017 Red CentreNATS highlights the importance of safety at public and community events due to the potential for multiple injuries, and the possible lasting effects on the injured, witnesses and first responders.

“I requested an additional assessment in April of both enforceable undertakings after further information was provided by the lawyer representing eleven of the injured spectators.

“That information and the views of the injured 11 have been considered; however prosecuting both companies would not provide the tangible benefits of making improvements to prevent further incidents from occurring at public and community events.

“The question of compensation has been raised since this incident occurred.

“The work health and safety laws and sanctions available to the regulators are not the correct mechanism for resolving disputes around compensation.”

Details of the enforceable undertaking are available on the NT WorkSafe website, see:

• Northern Territory Major Events Pty Ltd
• Car Festivals Pty Ltd