What's News
PDF Download
Latest News
Well-Head Safety Program to instil best practice in CSG industry
17 May 2010
Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson has ordered the State’s coal seam gas producers to fully audit their operations, to ensure their gas wells and equipment meet appropriate health and safety standards. The industry has been ordered to participate in a well-head safety program, which aims to ensure that all CSG companies demonstrate best practice in their operations. More...
Comcare’s court enforcement capabilities boost under Federal Budget
13 May 2010
The Federal Government has allocated $4.4m over five years in order to boost Comcare’s court enforcement action under the Commonwealth Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 and fight appeals made to the Federal Court and Fair Work Australia against its decisions. While there is legislation currently before the Senate for abolishing the ABCC, replacing it with a new Office of the Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate, the budget shows the ABCC continuing to operate. More...
The new generation of safe conveyor skirting
12 May 2010
Changing out or adjusting skirting on conveyors is a costly job for many bulk material plants across the globe, but in many bulk materials handling plants, reducing the dust from conveyor transfer points subsequently reduces the risk of an employee’s exposure to Silica dust. The litigation costs associated with this condition rival that of asbestosis, costing billions of dollars. More...
Qld Insulation company charged for electrocution
7 May 2010
A Queensland home insulation company has been charged after an extensive investigation into the electrocution death of an insulation installer. Beenleigh-based QHI Installations was charged with breaching section 30 of the Electrical Safety Act 2002 for allegedly failing to conduct its business or undertaking in a way that was electrically safe. More...
Manufacturer fined due to forklift injury
7 May 2010
RCR Laser Qld has been fined $38,000 after a worker’s right foot was run over by a forklift, resulting in serious injuries. The company pleaded guilty to breaching section 24 of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, having failed to ensure workplace safety. More...
Survey results show safety issues in focus
6 May 2010
COMOPS has released results of a survey it undertook, claiming occupational health and safety and risk managers will face a range of issues in 2010. The surveyed face legislative changes and ongoing regulatory requirements, as well as business demands and technology - 78% cited fatigue management as a priority, followed by OHS national harmonisation laws at 77%, and meeting current laws and obligations at 76%. More...
Safety alert against improper router use
6 May 2010
WorkSafe Victoria has issued a safety alert after a worker was hit in the chest due to a bit disintegrating during router operation. More...
Crushing incident leads to conviction and fine for towing company
3 May 2010
A Towing and Salvage company has been convicted and fined in the Melbourne County Court, after a worker was crushed while loading equipment onto the trailer of a truck. The company was fined $130,000 after pleading guilty to two charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. More...
New survey shapes farm safety
13 May 2010
Farmers in the New South Wales South East are being encouraged to take part in a survey that will help shape Occupational Health and Safety regulations. The survey starts this week, and is being conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics. More...
Worksafe claims older farmers less safe: WorkSafe
10 May 2010
WorkSafe Victoria figures show that farmers over 60 years old are almost twice as likely to die from work-related injuries than younger farmers, with most common contributing factor in deaths of older farmers are tractors. More...
Latest fatality is sixth in farming sector
12 May 2010
WorkSafe Victoria is inspecting the circumstances surrounding the death of a 33 yr old man at a beef and cropping business near Wyuna. WorkSafe is calling on famers to immediately inspect structures which they may need climb or gain access to – such as windmills, feed bins and fuel tanks – for any signs of corrosion or structural damage. More...
Safety on domestic construction sites costing millions
10 May 2010
Slips, trips and falls on domestic construction sites are costing the community millions of dollars a year in medical costs for injured workers. In the last financial year, treatment costs for roof tilers who had suffered slips, trips or falls in the workplace came to over $1.3 million. More...
Safety under the Building the Education Revolution program
2 May 2010
Environmental scientists, building industry experts, health groups and the NSW Teachers Federation have raised concerns about the potential risks associated with buildings in the $16.2 billion program. But schools have complained of dodgy workmanship, including incorrectly fitted light switches and fans, temporary foundations, leaking water tanks and lifting carpets and other safety hazards. More...
Fine tripled on appeal
A health and safety fine which was nearly tripled on appeal sends a clear message to Victorian workplaces about the consequences of needlessly endangering workers, WorkSafe Victoria said.An appeal of the matter by the Director of Public Prosecutions to the County Court resulted in the company’s fine being increased to $70,000, with costs of nearly $3,000. More...
Mine safety review is flawed
5 May 2010
A review of NSW coal mines held up by the state government as evidence of the industry’s world-class safety system is flawed because it examined paperwork not mines, says an expert involved in the investigation of the Beaconsfield disaster. The report was based on a ‘’desktop audit’’ that ignored the reality at the mines. More...
Publications/ Conferences
Safe Work Australia releases new reports in May 2010
Safe Work Australia Occupational Disease Indicators Report
12 May 2010
More...
Safe Work Australia Annual Mesothelioma Report
12 May 2010
Safe Work Australia reports an increase in mortality due to mesothelioma. More...
Notified Fatalities Statistical Report
12 May 2010
Safe Work Australia has published the six-monthly Notified Fatalities Report July to December 2009. More...
Harmonisation news
The final draft of the model Work Health and Safety Act is also now available on the Safe Work website. Work is progressing on the policy proposals and draft model regulations. Read about the progress in the harmonisation process here. More...
Safe Work Australia Progresses Model Work Health and Safety Legislation
29 April 2010
Members agreed by majority to endorse the current version of the amended Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and to recommend it to the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC) to note. WRMC has agreed that Safe Work Australia and Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee may continue to make further amendments until the implementation of the legislation on 1 January 2012. More...
Australian Mesothelioma Registry launched
30 April 2010
The Australian Mesothelioma Registry replaces the Australian Mesothelioma Register, and will collect all notifications of new cases of mesothelioma from the state and territory cancer registries including detailed information on the past exposure to asbestos of mesothelioma patients. Notification of new cases of mesothelioma to the Registry and the collection of information on asbestos exposure commences in July 2010. More...
OFSC clarifies criteria for protective structures on earthmoving equipment
The OFSC has clarified the interpretation of Mobile Plant and Equipment criterion H16.7, regarding earthmoving equipment to be fitted with compliant Roll-Over Protection Structures/Falling Object Protection Structures, and seatbelts. More...
VIC: and Use Planning Safety
WorkSafe Victoria has prepared a Guidance Note on land use planning near Major Hazard Facilities. More...
Classification of radioactive waste: general safety guide
Author: Vienna: International Atomic Energy Agency, 2009; 48 p
Radioactive wastes; Classification; Standards; Overseas item. More...