Employers who negligently cause the deaths of their workers could face up to 20 years' jail, under an election promise from the Andrews Labor Government.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the Government will create a new criminal offence of workplace manslaughter which would allow employers to be fined almost $16 million for industrial deaths.
Making the announcement at the Labor state conference, Mr Andrews said 234 Victorians have died at work over the past decade.
He said the law would send a strong message to employers.
"It's my sincerest hope that these laws will never need to be used… that instead, they'll change our workplaces and change our culture."
The announcement was met with raucous applause and a standing ovation by delegates at the conference.
Mr Andrews said the offence would extend beyond the employer's staff.
"They'll cover a visiting supplier. A routine maintenance work. Or three innocent people walking down a busy street, on the edge of our city," he said.
In 2013, three people were killed when an advertising billboard and the wall it was attached to fell on them as they passed by a building site in Swanston Street.
Aussie Signs, the company that installed the billboard, was fined $250,000 in 2016, while builder Grocon was fined $250,000 in 2014.
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union state secretary John Setka said he was "overwhelmed" by the announcement.
"I think it's fantastic, it goes a long way into preserving life. I mean no-one should go into work and never come home at the end of the day and hopefully this will stop lots of deaths.
"The current arrangements, there's so many loopholes there. There's some employers through negligence they can kill people and never see the inside of a court. Or pay some fine somewhere... it's almost become like a bit of a joke."
Deputy Opposition Leader David Hodgett said no-one should lose their life at work, but the Coalition needed to see more detail on the proposal.
"Let's have a look at the detail… let's have a look at what these laws mean and then we'll form a position on it."
