The Compliance Fine You Didn’t See Coming – And How to Avoid It

One missing document. One forgotten update. One small oversight.
Any of these can be enough to trigger a fine so big it wipes out years of your hard work.

In Australia, failing to comply with Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) and other WHS requirements isn’t just a minor paperwork slip — it’s a legal violation. As a result, businesses face fines from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, possible criminal charges, and reputational damage that can last for years.

Real Businesses. Real Fines. Real Consequences.

These cases prove it can happen to anyone:

• AGL Macquarie – $450,000 fine
  Workers suffered severe burns from an arc flash because no SWMS was in place. Consequently, the penalty was massive — the same cost as 130 years of Picatech’s Medium Pack.
  Read more about this case
• Silver Raven Pty Ltd – $180,000 fine
  When a SWMS update removed essential Kevlar PPE requirements, a worker’s hand was degloved. In the end, the penalty was equivalent to 52 years of Picatech.
  Read the official case
• New Switch Electrical (Geelong) – $40,000 fine + $4,000 costs
  Apprentices worked 2.7 m off the ground without SWMS or fall protection. As a result, the total cost matched over 11 years of Picatech.
  Case details here
• Novus Precast (Toowoomba) – $30,000 fine
  A worker was struck in the head with a chain during high-risk work without following SWMS protocols. This incident cost nearly 9 years of Picatech.
  See the report

The Math Doesn’t Lie

Fine Amount	Equivalent Years of Picatech Medium Pack*
$30,000	8.71 years
$40,000	11.61 years
$180,000	52.25 years
$450,000	130.66 years

*Medium Pack = $287/month ($3,444/year)

Why This Should Keep You Awake at Night

• It’s the law – Under Australian WHS legislation, SWMS are mandatory for high-risk construction work. Failing to prepare, update, make accessible, and enforce them can lead to corporate penalties of up to $3 million — plus potential jail time for individuals.
  See WHS penalties here
• It hits your bottom line – A single fine can erase years of profit, disrupt cash flow, and force downsizing.
• It damages your name – Once safety failings hit the headlines, securing major contracts becomes almost impossible.

How Picatech Keeps You Compliant — and Safe

• Create, store, and share SWMS instantly from any device, ensuring all workers have the latest version.
• Log incidents in real-time, sending automatic alerts to the right people.
• Automate compliance checks, keeping safety documents current without manual chasing.
• Pay one flat monthly fee — no add-ons for core compliance features, unlike other platforms.