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What’s News? Occupational Health & Safety

Latest News 30 September 2009

Experts divided over new OHS laws
25 September 2009
New OHS laws based on a national Model Act will bring “a race to the bottom” or much-needed clarity for employers. 3 issues are set to dominate discussion at the Safety Conference in Sydney: the burden of proof, the personal liability of company officers, and the impact on prosecution. More...

National model OHS legislation now for public comment
23 September 2009
Safe Work Australia is currently developing model occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation and your views are needed to ensure the model legislation is relevant to all Australian workplaces. An exposure draft of the model legislation will open for public comment in September for a period of 6 weeks. This is an opportunity to actively participate and to voice your opinion on the development of new model OHS legislation. Instructions for submissions will be available on this website closer to the opening of the public comment. More...

Hidden construction injuries have the biggest cost
23 September 2009
WorkSafe Victoria has launched a concerted assault on the state’s biggest source of workplace injuries which cost the community $600 million dollars a year in medical treatment and rehabilitation bills. More...

Rail safety reforms anger union
18 September 2009
The union representing Queensland Rail (QR) workers says new safety measures introduced last week are detrimental to staff. QR now requires barriers around on-track and mobile machinery, and vehicles must be turned off before people can enter the work area. More...

Comcare supports model OHS legislation
22 September 2009
Comcare has supported new uniform model occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation currently under consideration. The model laws are being driven by Safe Work Australia, in partnership with the Commonwealth, state and territory governments and employer and employee groups. More...

WorkSafe Victoria issues warning after forklift runs over man
16 September 2009
WorkSafe Victoria has issued a warning after a forklift ran over a man on 14 September 2009, leaving him with serious leg injuries. More...

Surgical masks offer little protection against flu - expert
17 September 2009
Face masks worn by many healthcare workers do nothing to protect them during a pandemic influenza outbreak like the world.
More...

Queensland aims for zero harm at work
A new program has been launched to reduce workplace deaths and injuries in Queensland. Zero Harm at Work aims to create a positive safety culture, to reduce the 100 deaths and 30,000 injuries at work. Industrial Relations Minister, Cameron Dick, said the cost of Queensland’s deaths and injuries at work is more than $5 billion a year.More...

Practice Notes

WorkSafe Victoria
A special website for WorkSafe has been set up. The site gives examples of safety issues and solutions across 10 industry sectors, provides tips on raising potential safety issues with employers and workers, construction safety posters and information on what WorkSafe inspectors look for when dealing with these issues.
More...