Andrew Ross

Consultant

T: +61 (0) 7 3307 5557
M: +61 (0) 491 179 502
andrew.ross@hbacrawford.com.au

 

Experience

Andrew has over 30 years’ experience in Employment and Occupational Health & Safety Law, with deep experience across both the private and public sectors.  He was an Assistant Crown Solicitor, providing advice to Directors-General and the State Attorney General and has also appeared regularly in statutory prosecutions, occupational appeals and in the Industrial Magistrates Court to argue workers’ compensation appeals.  Andrew’s work in the public sector encompassed marine safety, mining health & safety, marine pollution, and appearing in Commissions of Inquiry and Coronial Inquiries.

In the private sector Andrew has successfully appeared in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission representing employers in statutory workers’ compensation appeals and in the Fair Work Commission in unfair dismissal applications.  Andrew has advised on a diverse range of subject matter, from employment restraints of trade, industrial Award interpretation and compliance, through to occupational health and safety ‘due diligence’ obligations for executives.

Andrew holds a Master of Laws from the Queensland University of Technology.  He has been honoured on the ‘Best Lawyers’ in Australia list every year since 2019 in the area of Occupational Health & Safety and, similarly, as a recommended Workplace Health and Safety lawyer in Doyle’s Guide.  Andrew is a member of the Australia and New Zealand Maritime Law Association. He is a volunteer Director of a not-for-profit community radio station in Brisbane as well as a not-for-profit music festival.

 

Expertise

Andrew has worked across a number of sectors including waste & recycling, state and local government, construction, mining, manufacturing, NDIS, retail, logistics and electrical. He regularly advises clients in the aftermath of significant workplace incidents.

Andrew uses his knowledge of the legal and compliance landscape to successfully defend both corporates and senior executives in very significant health and safety prosecutions.  He is known for developing comprehensive enforceable undertakings for clients, which have enabled them to avoid prosecution.

He advises clients about Award and industrial laws compliance using knowledge gained through many litigated employment matters. Andrew works in a close collaborative manner with clients to rapidly establish a winning strategy that minimises their risk.

Having conducted numerous investigations into alleged misconduct by senior workers and executives, and advising as to the sufficiency of evidence and the recommended sanction, Andrew is considered one of the best in Queensland. His combined strengths in employment, OHS and government law give him a unique perspective to aid clients in understanding the multiple dimensions of a given IR/WHS legal problem. Andrew solves problems to ensure the efficacy of the clients’ operations are protected or enhanced in how the issue is resolved.

 

Why Clients Like Him

Andrew analyses the client’s scenario and provides both an immediate solution and a recommendation for longer term action if needed. While highly experienced, Andrew knows collaboration is key to the best outcomes. He appreciates that the best approach arises from the combined insights of client and lawyer.

In addition, clients enjoy Andrew’s WHS and Employment Law compliance training sessions in which he uses an interactive scenario-based approach.