WorkSafe Victoria seize documents relating to Essendon’s supplements program in 2012Michael Warner
Herald-Sun
April 28, 2015 9:00PMDOCUMENTS relating to Essendon's "pharmacologically experimental" supplements program have been seized by WorkSafe Victoria investigators probing the Bombers activities in 2012.
Player consent forms, emails and other key papers were handed to the workplace authority by a player agent last week.
WorkSafe is also in possession of documents from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation into Essendon.
The Herald Sun can reveal at least one former Bomber player has spoken with a WorkSafe investigator as part of its probe into the club's ill-fated 2012 drugs regimen.
WorkSafe is seeking to formally interview the 34 past and present Essendon players cleared of doping by an AFL tribunal on March 31.
In a letter sent to the players by WorkSafe inspector Max Schiavon last month, the authority confirms it is investigating whether the Bombers' supplements program run by sports scientist Stephen Dank was conducted in breach of the law.
“As you may be aware, WorkSafe is investigating the Essendon Football Club's 2011 and 2012 'supplement program',” the letter says. “Unlike the AFL/ASADA investigation, the WorkSafe investigation focuses on whether Essendon may have breached its duties as an employer under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.
“WorkSafe understands that as an Essendon player during that period of time you may have been required to participate in the program. I would therefore like to talk to you about the program with a view to getting a witness statement from you.
“The issues I want to talk to you about focus on Essendon's processes and procedures for administering the supplement program, as well as any concerns you may have had about the program, either now or at the time.”
Aside from player co-operation, attempts by WorkSafe to prosecute Essendon are focusing on the club's admissions to governance failings agreed in a penalties settlement with the AFL in August 2013.
The Bombers were fined $2 million, stripped of draft picks and booted from the finals.
WorkSafe will argue the club has already admitted to serious governance breaches.
The club, individual directors and key staff could be heavily fined under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The workplace authority is conducting a separate investigation into the AFL over Essendon's drugs program.
The complaint, made by a member of the public, asserts that league chiefs failed properly to respond to warnings that players were being exposed to health and safety risks.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/worksafe-victoria-seize-documents-relating-to-essendons-supplements-program-in-2012/story-fndv8gad-1227325454547
