The Queensland Police Service has been charged with breaching workplace health and safety (WH&S) laws over the use of road spikes. 

Reports say dozens of officers have been injured using road spikes. In one case, reportedly lodged by the Queensland Police Union with QLD’s WH&S Department, an officer was struck by a car and dragged several metres while laying tyre deflation devices in Ipswich. The man was left severely injured and in a coma after the incident. 

WH&S prosecutors have now charged the Commissioner of Police with two counts of failure to comply with health and safety duty category 2, carrying a maximum penalty of $1,500,000 each.

Between 2012 and 2019, official documents suggest 26 police officers were injured while using the spikes.

WH&S says the Commissioner of Police - who is responsible for the administration management and functioning of the service - has failed to provide practical refresher training.

The authorities also say the Commissioner of Police failed to implement other control measures to “minimise or eliminate risks”, and allegedly failed to review the adequacy of training after each of the 26 incidents.

A spokesperson for the Queensland Police Service (QPS) has told reporters that it takes the safety and wellbeing of its police officers “extremely seriously”.

“[QPS] works continuously to provide quality training which ensures staff can fulfil their duties to a high standard,” the statement said.

The matter should appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court in two months.