Published on 15 June 2026
By Patricia Paolini, Business Development Manager - Training
Risk assessments are a legal, governance, and operational necessity for every Queensland council. They’re not optional housekeeping. They are fundamental to how councils meet their statutory obligations and protect their communities. Risk assessments are the mechanism that ensures councils can demonstrate they have:
Without documented risk assessments, councils struggle to prove compliance, and that’s where exposure begins!
For a Queensland council CEO, the implications are significant because the CEO is ultimately accountable for ensuring the organisation has effective risk management systems in place.
The following article from the ‘Health and Safety Handbook by Tanda’, tells us one such story where the company director did not provide adequate risk assessments and paid the price.
Company and director penalised after explosion that injured four workers by Michael Selinger
“A chemical manufacturer in Queensland has been fined $180,000, and its director fined $36,000, after they unsuccessfully defended a prosecution against them, following an explosion at their factory. The manufacturing plant, which produced turpentine, rosin and waste wood chips, created a new process of extraction that required importing, setting up and modifying plant and associated equipment, including a conveyer system, extractor and de-solventiser.
In 2021, the plant was in shut-down mode due to being struck by lightning. The extractor contained around 5,000 litres of turpentine concentrate, resulting in a large explosion from the mixture of air and the chemicals, causing significant damage and injuring four workers. The Court was satisfied that, while the company had a risk-minimisation procedure in place, it was not adequately directed to the risks of explosion. In particular, the Court found that the company failed to:
The director had failed to ensure that the company put these risk assessments in place and so was also convicted for failing to exercise due diligence.”
Peak Services’ training programs play a critical role in strengthening the capability, compliance, and confidence of Queensland councils. With the complexity of local government increasing every year, from legislative changes to workforce expectations and community demands, councils need reliable, practical training that keeps their organisation compliant and their people skilled.
Two of our risk management programs are available to assist councils increase their compliance whilst minimise risk.
Risk Assessment and Management WHS Due Diligence for Supervisors and Managers
These programs and others are available for inhouse or virtual delivery. If you would like to ensure your risk management techniques are in place, please call Peak Services Training (07 3000 2184) to discuss our programs.
Ready to upskill your workforce? Contact Patricia Paolini, Business Development Manager – Training, ppaolini@peakservices.com