Mandatory responses to public health and safety recommendations issued by coroners: a content analysis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the extent to which mandatory responses to coronial recommendations in one state of Australia (Victoria) provided a clear picture of action taken by organisations to protect public health and safety.METHOD: Analysis of organisations' responses to recommendations issued by coroners over the first three years of Victoria's newly introduced mandatory response regime was carried out.RESULTS: Most responses were provided to the court within the legislated three-month timeframe and were signed by persons in senior or executive management. Analysis of 282 recommendation-response pairs, found that less than half (44%) provided explicit statements about whether acti..