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Commercial centres to be Safer Suburbs in 08
9 January 2008 The Northland and Southland shopping centres, will be the focus of WorkSafe Victoria’s first Safer Suburbs campaign for 2008. Inspectors began visiting the centres on 14 January to help employers resolve safety issues. The Safer Suburbs initiative, has traditionally looked at industrial areas but was extended to major retail centres last year. Unguarded equipment, inadequate fire suppression, dangerous storage racking, poor housekeeping and sub-standard staff amenities were often found during Safer Suburbs visits. more.. .
Company to face court over customer's death
21 January 2008 A South Gippsland company has been committed to stand trial in the County Court on workplace health and safety charges, following a death in January 2007. A hoist holding a tandem trailer collapsed on a customer, who had taken the trailer in for repairs the day before. We Fix M Pty Ltd (trading as Inverloch Motor Body Works) will appear at the Latrobe Valley County Court, Morwell on 26 May 2008. more.. .
SA introduces reckless endangerment laws
18 December 2007 South Australia has introduced reckless endangerment laws, similar to those under the Victorian Act. The maximum penalties for reckless endangerment will be up $1.2 million for corporations and public sector agencies, while individuals face a $400,000 and up to 5-years jail.
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Mudgee death sparks quad bike warning
28 January 2008 WorkCover New South Wales has issued a warning to farmers and employers, about the safe use of all-terrain vehicles. Mr Watson says “it is vital all farmers do not overload or incorrectly ride quad bikes”. more...
Countries join forces in Trans-Tasman Falls campaign
3 December 2007 During February and March inspectors will visit more than 900 mainly small and medium-sized construction sites around NZ and Australia in a program announced by Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities Chair, John Watson. Falls prevention is a priority focus area for Australia’s workplace safety authorities as they are the single-biggest cause of workplace deaths in the construction industry. VWA media release . The Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities also has a new website. more.. .
AWU praises report on shiftwork and cancer
7 January 2008 The AWU has praised the UN repor t, saying it will have a significant impact on Australian workplaces demanding continuous production. "Our union has for many years strongly and publicly warned our members that there are calculated risks in 12 hour shifts - we believe that 12 hour shifts involving night work especially may burden our members' health," said AWU National Secretary, Paul Howes. more.. .
Workplace deaths prompt safety call
29 January 2008 A forklift accident at Bedford Industries is one of 2 workplace accidents that prompted the safety call from SA Unions. Janet Giles, from SA Unions, “says she does not have any evidence of negligence at the workplaces, but all employers should review their safety practices”. more.. .
Workplace deaths increasing, figures show
31 January 2008 New official figures show there has been a 16% increase in workplace deaths over the last 4 years. The recent focus on Industrial Relations lately, has been all about productivity and pay rates, but new official figures on death rates show that it may be time to give priority to workplace safety. more.. .
Minister slams investigation delay on BHP death
25 January 2008 Queensland Mines Minister, Geoff Wilson, has demanded an explanation from mining companies involved in a fatal incident last week, after reports that critical information was withheld from mines inspectors and police for a full 24 hours. "My Department has advised that mines investigators were prevented from accessing the scene of the fatal incident and speaking to witnesses and other employees for a full 24 hours after the incident occurred," says Wilson. more...
OHS Act Review – Final Report released
According to the Minister for WorkCover, Mr Tim Holding, the independent review of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 found overwhelming agreement from employers and unions that the new legislation, introduced in 2005, was ‘sound’ and ‘working as intended’. The report’s recommendations include that WorkSafe increase its resources in the areas of enforcement, training of inspectors and to the prosecution and investigation branch and also that it actively addresses stress in both the public and private sector. more.. .
practice notes/directions
Safety in Action Conference - April 29 to May
The Safety in Action Conference with over 70 Australian & international speakers covering the latest issues in OHS will be held ffrom April 29 to May 1 this year. The Conference is featuring a line-up featuring Jerry Ellis (ANZ Chair and former Monash Uni Chancellor and BHP Director) and Ziggy Switkowski. more.. .
Unions tool up for workplace battles
31 January 2008 Unions are bracing for a long fight with the Rudd Government over new rules for the independent industrial umpire, wage bargaining across industries and unions' right of entry to workplaces. Among the issues is the Rudd Government's new industrial umpire, Fair Work Australia, which it wants to operate chiefly as a mediator rather than restoring the traditional role of enforced conciliation and arbitration. The new bill will also restore the concept of "good faith bargaining", a legal imperative for both sides to negotiate.
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Family disappointed over dismissal of work death charges
25 January 2008 A National recycling company has been fined $50,000 over the death of 2 contractors at a Launceston recycling plant 2 years ago. A spokesman for Veolia Environmental Services, Tony Cade, says “the dismissal of charges against the 4 executives will not alter the company's resolve to continue to monitor and improve safety procedures”. more.. .
Hazard Alert on Hay-balers after KI fatality
22 January 2008 The dangers of using hay-balers have been outlined in the latest Hazard Alert issued by SafeWork SA. more...
legislation
Queensland Victoria Regulations Regulations
Electrical Safety and Other Legislation Road Safety (General) (Prescribed Devices Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008 (SL No 2 of Amendment) Regulations 2008 (SR No 2 of 2008) 2008) amends the Electrical Safety Act 2002; State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999; Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003
articles
The safety aspect of steel scaffolding in the building industry Source: Construct: January 2008; pp12-13.
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brisbane
Paul Hardman, Partner
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