Run by the Local Government Association Workers’ Compensation Scheme, the public mock trials provide 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, Modbury, Burnside and Minlaton on Yorke Peninsula.
Attribute to SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell:
These National Safe Work month events provide a rare opportunity for the public to gain insights into how work and safety offences are investigated, tried and prosecuted.
Simulating a prosecution experience is an excellent way to communicate the seriousness of the legal obligations of duty holders under the WHS Act.
These events also serve as fantastic education tools and provide takeaways for workers and businesses to consider in their own workplaces.
Click here to register or read more about each event below
Mock trials and incident simulation
Incident Simulation – Coke bottle scenario
When: Thursday, 9 October 2025, 9am to 12pm.
Where: Yitpi Yartapuultiku, Aboriginal Cultural Centre, 1300 Old Port Road Port Adelaide, SA 5015.
About: 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, 9am to 12pm.
Where: Yitpi Yartapuultiku, Aboriginal Cultural Centre, 1300 Old Port Rd, Port Adelaide.
About: 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 – Nature’s playground
When: Thursday, 23 October 2025, 9.30am to 12.30pm
Where: Minlaton Town Hall, 57 Main St, Minlaton.
About: 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 (Burnside)
When: Tuesday, 21 October 2025, 1pm to 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.
SafeWork Month - Mock Court: Psychosocial (Burnside) Tickets, Tue 21/10/2025 at 1:00 pm | Eventbrite
Mock Court – Modbury
When: Tuesday, 28 October 2025, 9am to 12pm
Where: Sferas Convention Centre, 191 Reservoir Rd, Modbury
About: In this fictitious scenario hosted by the City of Tea Tree Gully, 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.
