What’s News? Occupational Health & Safety

Resources Minister calls for safety improvements in oil and gas
2 June 2009
Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson says the reasonable safety record of the industry has been overshadowed by major events such as the Varanus Island gas explosion, and the death of a worker on Karratha Spirit in December 2008. More...

United Case Holdings fined $31,000 for teenager’s fall
3 June 2009
Adelaide-based United Case Holdings has been fined a total of $31,025 after a teenage worker fell from atop two packing crates and broke his wrist. United Case Holdings pleaded guilty to three breaches of the Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act 1986 in the SA Industrial Relations Court. More...

Queensland Safety Conference on dealing with drug-affected workers
3 June 2009
Chris Parker says the days after drug intoxication can be more hazardous than the actual period of intoxication. More...

Qld to get Mine safety commissioner
4 June 2009
Queensland Parliament has passed laws creating a new position for a Mine Safety and Health Commissioner. The State Opposition supported the changes, which stem from last year’s Ombudsman’s report on the Queensland Mines Inspectorate. More...

Mixed reviews on national OHS system
28 May 2009
A national system of workplace safety laws will be implemented in Australia after state and territory governments recently agreed to harmonise their laws is received with mixed views. More...

Study finds serious health risks for Queensland builders
26 May 2009
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says a new taskforce will tackle health problems in the construction industry, after a report revealed serious health problems in builders. The report followed the Construction WorkHealth Initiative Pilot study of over 1,000 Brisbane and Gold Coast construction workers between September 2008 and February 2009. More...

Rio Tinto Alcan fined over worker injury
26 May 2009
A mining giant has been fined almost $200,000 after a worker slipped and fell into a pool of highly corrosive liquid at a refinery in the Northern Territory.The incident occurred at the Alcan Gove refinery in March 2008, becoming the fifth serious workplace accident at that facility since 2006. More...

Crackdown on unlicensed plumbers safety
DIP’s Building Codes Queensland (BCQ) staff are investigating 42 complaints about plumbing legislation breaches which have adversely affected community health and safety. More...