Consultative Committee for Work-Related Fatalities and Serious Incidents

About the Consultative Committee

The Consultative Committee for Work-Related Fatalities and Serious Incidents (Consultative Committee) was established to ensure there is an ongoing consultative forum for injured workers and families affected by a workplace death, illness or serious incident.

The purpose is to provide:

• advice and recommendations to the Minister for Industrial Relations about the information and support needs of people impacted by work-related deaths, serious incidents and illness
• a forum where Queenslanders impacted by work-related deaths, serious incidents and illness can contribute to improve the experiences of all families in their interaction with the Work Health and Safety Regulator.

The committee is established under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and its members are appointed by the Minister for Industrial Relations. All members have either suffered the loss of a family member or they or their family member have been seriously injured through a work-related incident.

About the members

Dan Kennedy (Chair)

Dan’s son, Dale, was just 20 years old, a young father and close to finishing his electrical apprenticeship when he died from an electric shock while working in a ceiling space. Dan encourages prioritising health and safety so people can go home at the end of the day to their loved ones. Dan and his wife Debbie share Dale’s story . Dan is a tireless advocate for young workers to speak up about safety.

Ann Nelson (Deputy Chair)

Ann’s partner, Lindsay, died in February 2023 after being struck by hay bales at a work site in April 2022. Lindsay was 56 years old. Ann is committed to raising awareness and improving safety practices across diverse workplaces. Ann comes to the committee with extensive experience on similar working groups, committee work and in public speaking.

Donna Allan

Bridget Brown

In March 2023, Bridget’s husband, Danny tragically lost his life after becoming trapped beneath a pool mould. Danny was 54 years old. Bridget joined the committee to share her story and is passionate about raising awareness of the importance of safety culture in workplaces, system change and amplifying the voices of others who have been impacted by incidents within the workplace.

Danarose Brown

Danarose lost her father Danny in a work-related tragedy in 2023. Danarose, along with her mother Bridget is dedicated to advocating for families who have experienced the loss of a loved one due to a work-related incident. Danarose is also a qualified social worker and brings this professional experience to her role. Danarose is passionate about promoting safer workplaces and ensuring families receive support.

Lisa Crocker

In 2022, Lisa’s 25-year-old son, Jordan Crocker, was tragically electrocuted while working in a ceiling space in Brisbane. Determined to turn personal tragedy into purposeful action in his honour, Lisa advocates for stronger support systems for families affected by workplace incidents. Lisa also promotes legislative reforms to strengthen workplace safety across Queensland and ensure every worker returns home safely.

Antoinette James

In 2012, while mustering cattle on her family farm, Anna’s husband, a highly experienced stockman, fell from his horse suffering horrific head, neck, and abdominal crush injuries. Antoinette is passionate about safety in the farming and agriculture industry and committed to supporting others who have experienced a serious work-related injury or illness.

Debbie Kennedy

Debbie and her husband Dan both lost their cherished son Dale to an electrical workplace incident when he was only 20 years old and just starting his own young family. Debbie does not want any other parent to suffer the same immeasurable loss. Debbie is a devoted committee member who encourages prioritising health and safety in all workplaces, so all workers go home at the end of their working day.

Sean O’Connor

In 2017, Sean’s sister, Kerryn, was electrocuted while handling an electrical appliance with a hidden failure. Sean himself has an electrical trade and significant experience leading staff in industrial, transport and mining industries. Sean brings this insight into the health and safety challenges that workers face. Sean works to prevent others from experiencing the grief of losing a loved one in an avoidable incident. His passion is consumer protection. Sean shares Kerryn’s story .

Previous Consultative Committee members

We would like to acknowledge our previous committee members:

• Founding Chair Michael Garrels
• Lee Garrels
• Luisa Wilson
• David Miles
• Paul Bailey
• Jen Beveridge
• Rachel Blee
• Kevin Fuller
• Bill Martin
• Jacqueline Quinlivan
• Don Sager
• Julie Sager
• Jo Ufer
• Samantha Wood.

View the Queensland Workers’ Memorial Honour Roll

The purpose of the Queensland Workers’ Memorial Honour Roll is to commemorate Queensland workers who have died as a result of a work-related incident, disease, or illness.

Read more