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WA Worksafe probe welcomed
8 July 2010
The Deaths in Custody Watch Committee has welcomed WorkSafe’s investigation into the death of an Aboriginal elder while . WorkSafe has confirmed it has begun investigating whether anyone involved in Mr Ward’s death breached the Occupational Health and Safety Act while transporting in a prison van. More...
Company fined for poor safety
8 July 2010
A railway operator has been fined $200,000 for safety breaches brought to light after two maintenance workers died after being hit by a train. The corporation pleaded guilty to breaching the Rail Safety Act, including by failing to make workers complete a worksite protection plan before starting work. More...
Beware the contractor tax trap
8 July 2010
WorkCover insurance coverage must be provided for employees or contractors deemed to be employees and you pay, or expect to pay, more than $7,500 a year in rateable remuneration. Payments to a contractor will be subject to WorkCover if they are deemed to be working under a contract of service. More...
Too many fatalities in 2009/10
29 June 2010
WorkSafe Victoria last week released a media release to coincide with the end of the 2009/10 financial year announcing that due to lapses in workplace safety, twenty-nine Victorians had been killed. Nine of the fatalities occurred in Melbourne, and 17 in regional Victoria. WorkSafe has announced that its inspectors will be targeting small business safety over the coming year, with inspectors giving special attention to small businesses in 14 suburbs and towns across Victoria. More...
Anaconda prosecuted after fall
29 June 2010
The Frankston Magistrates’ court has fined Anaconda Group a total of $70,000 without conviction, after the company faced two charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. The incident, which occurred in November 2008, was due to the belay equipment not having been installed safely by the contracted installer. More...
Third prosecution after apprentice burned in ‘prank’
1 July 2010
A 23 yr old Yarra Valley man was the third person to be convicted last week for setting an apprentice alight in a sickening workplace attack. One apprentice was fined $5000 plus $1000 in costs and two other apprentices were convicted on health and safety charges in December 2008, and also fined $5,000 each. In this case the company was not prosecuted as, according to WorkSafe, it had done the right thing. More...
Insulation installation company charged after death
29 June 2010
Queensland’s Department of Justice and Attorney-General has laid charges against an insulation installing company after the death of a teenage worker. Arrow Property Maintenance has been 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...
Queensland employers, workers urged to work safe
1 July 2010
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) is currently undertaking a significant initiative to improve workplace health and safety in every medium-sized business across the state. WHSQ is paying particular attention to this sector because more than 30 per cent of workers’ compensation claims originate from medium-sized businesses, even though the sector employs only 18 per cent of the workforce. http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=70439
Queensland new speed compliance laws for trucks
1 July 2010
New speed compliance laws are based on the third component of the National Transport Commission’s (NTC) National Compliance and Enforcement Bill, bringing Queensland into line with other states. Transport inspectors will enforce the new changes with penalties ranging from $300 to $8000 for off-road parties, depending on the seriousness of the breach, with repeat offenders likely to face the more significant fines. More...
Publications/ Conferences
SafeWork Australia exposure reports
Safe Work Australia announced the release of two reports from the National Hazard Exposure Worker Surveillance survey, which is used to determine the current nature and extent of Australian workers’ exposure to identified occupational disease causing hazards. The two reports are:
National Hazard Exposure Worker Surveillance: Exposure to dust, gases, vapours, smoke and fumes and the provision of controls for these airborne hazards in Australian workplaces - the report found that 39 per cent of Australian workers were exposed to airborne hazards in the workplace.
National Hazard Exposure Worker Surveillance: Vibration exposure and the provision of vibration control measures in Australian workplaces - as above, but focusing on exposure to vibration. The report found that 23 per cent of exposed workers reported that no controls for vibration were provided, and only 27 per cent had received any training.
Safe Work Australia report finds workers trained in health and safety are more aware of asbestos risks
30 June 2010
Safe Work Australia Chair has released the Asbestos Exposure and Compliance Study of Construction and Maintenance Workers: Follow-up Report. The initial study targeted four trades: electricians, carpenters, plumbers and painters. The present report is a follow up report of the initial descriptive report from the Asbestos Exposure and Compliance Study (the Asbestos Study). Safe Work Australia report finds workers trained in health and safety are more aware of asbestos risks. More...
New SWA study shows trained worker more aware of asbestos
A new report from Safe Work Australia has found that workers who have received specific OHS training understand the risks of asbestos much better than older workers. This study follows up a previous one which found thousands of Australian workers still lack the skills or knowledge to identify asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). The Survey included 262 electricians, plumbers, carpenters and painters. The Asbestos Exposure and Compliance Study of Construction and Maintenance Workers: Follow-up Report can be downloaded from the SafeWork Australia website. More...
Checklists to guide your business
The latest versions of business.gov.au’s popular business checklists are now available. This easy-to-read checklist will guide you through the process of starting a business, including OH & S obligations. To order a hard-copy of the checklists, email
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or to download a copy. More...
QLD: Workplace Health and Safety and Another Regulation Amendment Regulation (No.1) 2010
On 25 June 2010, a number of minor technical amendments were made to the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 and the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Regulation 2001 to ensure the continued efficient and effective operation of Queensland’s health and safety arrangements. The amendment regulation, Workplace Health and Safety and Another Regulation Amendment Regulation (No.1) 2010 made a number of changes that are outlined. More...
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Melbourne
Charles Power
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Sydney
Stephen Trew
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Brisbane
Paul Hardman
Partner
T: +61 (0)7 3135 0675
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