The Council of Trade Unions has told MPs proposed health and safety reforms do not go far enough in holding company owners to account for the lives of their workers.
The union has appeared in front of Parliament's transport and industrial relations committee, which is hearing submissions on the reform bill that reforms the National Workplace Health and Safety System.
Under the legislation, company directors and managers could face up to five years in prison and a $3 million fine for recklessly endangering workers.
The CTU's lawyer, Jeffrey Sissons, told the committee on Thursday that company directors and managers should face up to 10 years' jail and a corporate manslaughter charge.
Mr Sissons said it is morally wrong that damaging a computer system is punishable by two more years in jail than killing a worker.