WorkSafe charges 'Dons over AFL saga

Essendon has agreed to WorkSafe Victoria charges over its disastrous supplements program, saying they reflected the AFL club's governance failings at the time.

WorkSafe has charged the Bombers with two breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act over the 2011-12 supplements program.

Essendon has been charged with failing to provide a working environment that is safe and without risk to health.

The charges come a week before WADA starts its appeal at the Court of Arbitration and Sport against 34 current and past Essendon players.

"Essendon Football Club has been assisting WorkSafe with its investigation and agreed to the charges laid today," the club said in a statement.

It said the charges reflected governance failings at the club at that time, for which it has accepted responsibility.

WorkSafe also investigated the AFL for alleged breaches of the act, but decided against laying charges.

In a statement, WorkSafe said charges weren't laid against the AFL because after "a review of the available and admissible evidence, it could not be established to the requisite standard that the AFL breached the OHS Act".