The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) wants tougher penalties to hold company bosses accountable for workplace deaths.

It has urged the Federal Government to beef up occupational health and safety (OHS) laws so guilty company directors face prison for up to 20 years, and possibly fines too.

“Strengthening OHS laws to make negligent companies and individual directors liable sends a clear message to employers that they must ensure people are safe at work,” Assistant Secretary Michael Borowick said.

“Current laws need to be strengthened so companies and company directors are liable for our safety at work.”

Under current laws the average fine for a workplace death is $100,000, which the ACTU says is paltry when measured against large companies’ annual profits.

The law does not hold errant employers or directors accountable for deaths, it says.