WHAT HAPPENED

* Worker Barry Willis died eight days after being hit by a reversing forklift in Brisbane Auto Recycling's wrecking yard in May, 2019.

THE CHARGES

* Brisbane Auto Recycling pleaded guilty to causing a worker's death by failing to separate pedestrians from a mobile plant and supervise workers.

* The company's directors Asadullah Hussaini and Mohammad Ali Jan Karimi, pleaded guilty to a different charge - one of engaging in reckless conduct by failing to ensure the business had effective safety systems in place.

THE LAW

* A law passed on October 12, 2017 made industrial manslaughter an offence.

* The law holds employers - regardless of size and structure - accountable for negligence contributing to a worker's death.

THE REASONING

* Making industrial manslaughter an offence was recommended by the Best Practice Review of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

* It looked at fatal workplace incidents at Dreamworld and the Eagle Farm racecourse in 2016.

* The law aimed to address the difficulty previously faced in prosecuting some employers for manslaughter because of elaborate corporate structures.

THE PENALTY

* Individuals convicted of industrial manslaughter face a maximum of 20 years in jail.

* Corporate offenders are liable for a fine of up to $10 million.

* Hussaini and Karimi face a maximum of five years in jail for the reckless conduct offence.

Australian Associated Press