The Roar
The Roar

AFL
Advertisement

UPDATE: Essendon charged by WorkSafe Victoria over 2012 supplements regime

9th November, 2015
Advertisement
Jobe Watson won't be leading his side in the 2016 AFL season.
9th November, 2015
89
2070 Reads

The saga surrounding Essendon Football Club’s 2012 supplements program has taken a new turn, with the club being charged by WorkSafe Victoria over a breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

WorkSafe has charged the Bombers with two breaches, including “failing to provide and maintain for employees a working environment that is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health” and “failing to provide and maintain for employees a system of work that is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health.”

Essendon are still awaiting a World Anti-Doping Agency appeal of the AFL’s decision to clear the club of any wrongdoing over the regime, which was controversially overseen by sports scientist Stephen Dank during James Hird’s tenure as coach.

The hearing is to be held over a week starting on November 16 in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Essendon made a statement after the news broke, saying they agree with the charges as a reflection of the state of the club at the time.

The club says its acknowledgement and acceptance of the AFL-imposed fine and suspension of club officials is reflective of their cooperation.

Full Essendon statement

Essendon Football Club has been assisting WorkSafe with its investigation and agreed to the charges laid today.

The charges reflect the governance failings of the Club at that time, which the Club has accepted responsibility.

As this matter is now before the Court, the Club will make no further comment at this time.

Advertisement

The AFL cleared Essendon after two years of investigation failed to yield sufficient evidence of players contravening anti-doping rules, and they were found not guilty of using the banned peptide thymosin beta-4.

WorkSafe said that no further statement will be made until the case is before the courts.

The full WorkSafe Victoria statement

Following a comprehensive investigation, WorkSafe has charged the Essendon Football Club with two breaches of the OHS Act 2004 in relation to its 2011-2012 supplements program.

The charges are:
• One breach of section 21(1) – failing to provide and maintain for employees a working environment that is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health.
• One breach of 21(2)(a) – failing to provide and maintain for employees a system of work that is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health.

WorkSafe understands the significant public interest in the details surrounding this matter. However, as it is now before the Court, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time.

WorkSafe has also completed its investigation into alleged breaches of the OHS Act by the Australian Football League. Following a review of the available and admissible evidence, it could not be established to the requisite standard that the AFL breached the OHS Act.

close