The South Australian government has released draft legislation to make industrial manslaughter a criminal offence, bringing the state into line with Queensland, Victoria and WA.
The government will take feedback on its proposals until February with the bill expected to go before the state parliament later in 2023.
The changes to work, health, and safety laws mean a person can face a maximum 20-year jail sentence and companies a $15 million fine if they are reckless or grossly negligent in conduct that results in the death of another person.
"Every South Australian deserves to be safe at work and come home to their families and loved ones at the end of each day," Attorney-General Kyam Maher said.
"Industrial manslaughter laws recognise that, while tragic workplace accidents do occur from time to time, it's not an accident when people deliberately cut corners and place workers' lives at risk.
"It's a crime and it will be treated like one."
SA Unions State Secretary Dale Beasley said the legislation followed years of campaigning.
"It's not about beating up on bosses, it's about sending the message that workers' lives aren't a line item on a balance sheet." Mr Beasley said.
While it won't be retrospective, the bill will also cover instances where someone contracts a disease through their work which they later die from, and is expected to have major implications in silicosis cases, or where asbestos isn't handled correctly.
Under similar laws, successful prosecutions interstate include an ACT case where a worker was crushed when a crane overturned while being operated in excess of its rated capacity and a Queensland case where a worker was crushed by a generator that fell from a forklift being operated by an unlicensed driver.
The release of the legislation for public comment follows a period of consultation with business groups and unions including roundtable forums hosted by the government earlier this year.
