Introducing industrial manslaughter under the Crimes Act – an offence that could mean 25 years in prison for employers and fines up to $1.25 million – is not the way to ensure safer workplaces, says local mechanical and construction insurer Mecon Insurance.

Mecon MD Glenn Ross says state governments should not follow the Australian Capital Territory in implementing industrial manslaughter legislation because there already is legislation aimed at increasing workplace safety.

Mr Ross says greater controls on worker safety can be achieved through increased occupational heath and safety presence in the workplace, regulation on sites and continuing awareness campaigns.

He says delegates at the recent National Occupational Health and Safety Commission conference discussed the options of working with existing guidelines and improving safety in the building and construction industries. Delegates aim to reduce fatalities and serious injuries by at least 10% by June 2007.